THE GREAT SECRETS OF APOSTLE PAUL
"…but this one thing I do," - Phil 3:13
"And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men" - Acts 24:16
He was a bond servant of the Master. It is on record that he wrote about 13 or 14 books of the New Testament. His word was and still remains sacred scripture! (see 2 Peter 3:15-16). What were the secrets of this great servant of God? Let's consider some of them:
(1) CONSCIENCE VOID OF OFFENCE
Apostle Paul was a man of conscience void of offence. Hear him: " And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men " The Goodnews Bible says it clearer: "And so I do my best always to have a clear conscience before God and human beings "(Acts 24:16).
What a great virtue! He made sure that this was his way of life. This is what he meant when he said " ... herein do I exercise myself, to have always ...". This virtue of having a clear conscience was exercised by him not to God alone, but toward men also. What most of us don't realise is that whatever we do to our fellow men, we do unto God (see 1 John 4:20) In his daily life, he exercised himself in this noble task. A man like Apostle Paul knew his assignment in life! It was to save the lives of men through preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He knew he could not accomplish it without exercising himself in the task of having a constant examination of his conscience to find out if it had traits of offence toward men whom he was called by God to save. In doing this, he ensured that he hated no one, despised no one, cheated no one, discriminated against no one, etc! Apostle Paul was a man that could look into the eyes of those around him and could in his heart give himself a verdict of acquittal respecting, or in regard to offences toward them. He had nothing against no one and he made sure that no one could legitimately have anything against him, except those who chose to hate the Gospel and him in consequence of the dictates of his calling. Can you exercise yourself likewise? Can you sincerely give yourself an acquittal of a clear conscience like Apostle Paul?
Let this be our mode of life and we would thereby live to the Lord "…unto all pleasing ..." (Col 1:10). God bless you!
PRAYER
Dearest Heavenly Father, my desire is to live my life to please you. Help me to live daily with a conscience void of offense towards you and men, in Jesus name.