Paul looked straight at the Sanhedrin and said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience to this day.” (Acts 23:1)
I find it ironic that less than a minute after saying that, Paul unknowingly reviled the high priest.
The high priest, for his part, probably thought he was acting in good conscience when he ordered Paul struck.
And the people plotting to kill Paul also thought they were acting in good conscience, going so far as to vow to God that they would do so.
All of which proves the truth of what Paul told the Corinthians.
For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. It is the Lord who judges me.
So don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. (1 Corinthians 4:4-5)
For that reason, one of my prayers recently has been,
Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
test my heart and my mind. (Psalm 26:2, ESV)
I want God to test my heart, my motives. Because sometimes I deceive myself.
But at the same time, I pray,
For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in your faithfulness. (Psalm 26:3 ESV)
I don’t fear God’s searching gaze. Because I always see his steadfast love and grace toward me.
And moment to moment, day to day, I walk knowing he is faithful to me, despite all my sins and failures.
So yes, I strive to live in good conscience before God.
But I also remember to live in grace, walking confidently in his faithfulness toward me.
How about you?
Do you walk in good conscience?
Do you walk in grace?