Hypothetically

Daily Reading: Acts 24

I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man. (Acts 24.16, NIV)

Devotional Thought: Hypothetically, what happens when we...

·       Do not strive to have a clear conscience before neither God nor man?  Such a person lives simply for himself or herself.  They may live morally, but only when it suits them – to advance their selfish agenda or to avoid the consequences of immorality.

·       Strive to have a clear conscience before God but not before man?  In this case, religious zealotry takes over.  Such people justify their behavior by appealing to divine authority as interpreted by them and them alone.  This is what happened to the Jews of Paul’s day who sought to kill Paul on religious grounds.  It is seen in the atrocities of religious terrorists today.  It also can be seen in Christians who do not care about the condition of the world or the souls of the lost.

·       Strive to have a clear conscience before man but not before God?  A person who does this has no foundation.  They are slaves to popular culture or to political correctness.  They strive to please others but must constantly change their positions based on their audience.  The never-ending political cycle provides plenty of examples of those who operate like this, who say whatever is needed to get votes.

·       Strive to have a clear conscience before God and man?  This is the ideal situation.  When we do that, we have firm foundations, but we interpret them in the company of others.  This person is of necessity humble, realizing that the great answers of life lie beyond his or her sole ability to comprehend.  They know they need the guidance of divine perspective, but also the perspective of human guidance.

Hypothetically speaking, for what are you striving?

Prayer: Lord, I want to be like Jesus, who grew "in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man."  Help me as I strive to keep my conscience clear.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 78.50-55

"He made a path for his anger; he did not spare them from death, but gave their lives over to the plague. He struck down every firstborn in Egypt, the first-fruits of their strength in the tents of Ham. Then he led out his people like sheep and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. He led them in safety, so that they were not afraid, but the sea overwhelmed their enemies. And he brought them to his holy land, to the mountain which his right hand had won. He drove out nations before them; he apportioned them for a possession and settled the tribes of Israel in their tents."