AP

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

Like his Lord and Saviour, Paul knew what it was like to face false accusations from opponents committed to bringing about his downfall, from people who would stop at nothing to achieve their own ends.  The outcome wasn’t always what Paul hoped it to be – in this instance he would spend 2 long years in prison at the unethical pleasure of Governor Felix who saw the opportunity for a bribe (25-27)!

But we learn an important lesson from this faithful Apostle: he made sure he did nothing underhand, out of self-interest, or that would bring discredit on the name of his Master.  His conscience was clear before God and man.

How do we respond when the ‘umpire’s decision’ goes against us in this anti-Christian culture in which we are called to serve and witness, when we feel we are being treated unjustly or accused falsely?  Do we make moves to take revenge, to get our own back, to turn things to our advantage at all costs?  Or do we ‘strive always to keep [our] conscience clear before God and man’, so that we leave no room for justified criticism, or, more importantly, for God’s name to be dishonoured or the work of his Kingdom in the lives of others to be undermined?

It is right for us to maintain a strong sense of justice when there is so much casuistry and corruption around us, but our concern should only be for the protection and welfare of others – the helpless, vulnerable and disadvantaged poor – and not for our own self-interests.  As Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil.  Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘“It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord’.  On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:17-21).

These exhortations challenge our knee-jerk, natural inclinations, and are not easy to heed, but we also have the fine examples of Joseph after being severely ill-treated by his brothers (Genesis 50:19-21), and David when being mercilessly and unfairly hunted down by jealous Saul (1 Samuel 26:9-11).

– Bruce Christian