A Clear Conscience

And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. —Acts 24:16

Paul’s statement would be a good “life verse” for every Christian. We must seek to maintain a proper vertical relationship with God and horizontal relationship with our fellow man. However, sometimes it is easier to maintain our relationship with God than with man because God is more gracious than some people we know.

When David sinned by numbering Israel, God gave him a choice of three punishments: (1) Three years of famine; (2) Suffer three months at the hands of his enemies; or (3) Three days of pestilence. David chose the third option saying, “Let me fall now into the hand of the Lord; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man” (1 Chron. 21:13). David knew God was more merciful and forgiving than man. I have found this is still true today.

There are some people whom you will never be able to be reconciled with unless God intervenes. They reject every overture of friendship you extend because they prefer to carry the grudge of a past hurt. In that case, all you can do is leave the situation with God and be satisfied that your own conscience is clear with Him.