Have a clear conscience toward both God and man.

Acts 24:10-16, And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied: “Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.”

We won’t all be giving a testimony to a governor as did Paul, but we all have this opportunity to keep a clear conscience. We won’t always speak with the boldness and clarity Paul did, and we may not even have courage to speak when we should. But this we do have, when the Holy Spirit convicts us, we know that we can ask for both forgiveness and strength. We know that we can do nothing on our own; only by Him who is within us can we do what is right. And that is our true strength!

Thank You for Your forgiveness when we fall short and fall into sin; fill us with Your Holy Spirit today and give us boldness for Your kingdom!

ESV Lectionary