Acts 24:16 “So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.”

I wonder how many people feel this way? Or rather, actually live this way? This requires self-awareness without self-centeredness, and that is a tall order for most of us. We see examples all around us of people who seem to be the opposite, living totally for themselves and not realizing how obvious that is to those around them. I could give examples of various public figures but that wouldn’t be fair because, not only are there so many of them, we all have somewhat of this tendency. What is required is a fundamental humility that we could all use more of. We first of all have to acknowledge that we are created beings, and as such are accountable to our Creator. As Isaiah said, “You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, ‘He did not make me’? Can the pot say of the potter, ‘He knows nothing’?” (Isaiah 29:16) Some people formulate this into a philosophy of atheism, but even people who don’t go that far often complain to God about things instead of being faithful with what is placed at their disposal. We need to be aware of our Creator and striving to please Him, which is the attitude Paul is claiming here. We need to remember that we aren’t the center of the universe. The flip side of that is being aware also that we aren’t the only person in the universe, and that we are created to interact with the people around us. We can’t please all the people all the time (or fool all the people all the time) but as Paul said to the Romans, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18) We are all born with a stubborn, self-centered streak, and we need to stand against it. (There are people who seem to be exceptions to this, but they are rare indeed.) We aren’t to make ourselves doormats, but we are to consider how our lives impact those around us and strive to be instruments of God’s blessing, rather than irritants. Some people have that irritating thing down to an art! We are to be true to what God shows us and not be controlled by people’s opinions, but we’re back to what Paul told the Romans. He had already written that letter before the events around today’s passage, so we know he practiced what he preached. He is certainly worthy of our emulation.

Of course I’m preaching to myself here, because this is an area in which we all need to keep growing. I’ve known of God from infancy, yet I have ignored Him more times than I could possibly count. I have been self-centered to the point of being an introvert, happy if I had books and maybe some machinery to tinker with, ignoring everyone around me. God fixed that one by pairing me with one of the most social, outgoing people on the planet, and after 54 years, a good bit (emphasis on the good) has rubbed off on me, to the point that some people are disbelieving when I say I’m an introvert. That said, I’ve still got plenty of room to grow. Pride still rears its ugly head, and I have to strive to keep a clear conscience, just like Paul did. That said, I have experienced that God is incredibly patient and gracious, and He keeps working in and on me so that He can work through me at times as well, and I am deeply grateful.

Father, thank You for this. When I started writing, I had no idea You were giving me the message for Sunday! Help me express what You are saying clearly, so that each person hearing may receive what You know they need, for their blessing and Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!