In the sermon this past Sunday we looked at Paul’s final address to the Jews bound in chains in Jerusalem. As Paul addressed the angry mob, he compared the Jewish leaders to white washed walls. This was a metaphor that Jesus used to expose hypocrisy among religious leaders who looked good on the outside but had corrupt hearts. Because Paul was a Roman citizen, they were, in fact, the ones who were guilty of breaking the law and deserved punishment since it was unlawful to arrest and beat a Roman Citizen without due process.
Paul’s main point was that despite their hypocrisy and cruel treatment of him, he stood before God with a good conscience because he had faithfully and boldly lived out the mission of Jesus before them. Even while in chains and standing before an angry mob, Paul faithfully preached the Gospel of hope and the Resurrection.
What does it mean to stand before God with a good conscience? How is God challenging
you to live your life on mission for Jesus in your local community?
