Following the way
‘I do admit this to you: I worship the God of our ancestors by following that Way which they say is false. But I also believe in everything written in the Law of Moses and the books of the prophets. I have the same hope in God that they themselves have, namely, that all people, both the good and the bad, will rise from death. And so I do my best always to have a clear conscience before God and people.’ (verses 14-16)
Read Acts 24: 1-23
Paul was not a ringleader, which they accused him of being, but a follower. He was a follower of the Way, which was promised in the Old Testament and was fulfilled in Jesus Christ. You could say that the Way he followed was the way of Jesus Christ. Since Jesus rose to life again after being dead, this is the way we all will follow. We will all be resurrected on the last day to stand before God. This is why Paul urges his hearers to consider the way they are going.
His message touches you too. Will you be able to stand before God with a clear conscience? Will you stand with Jesus, who forgives your sins, or will you dare to stand without him?
By standing with Jesus and having faith in his words of forgiveness and life, your conscience will be clear. But following this way of life after death has a huge impact also on how you live now. Through faith in Jesus, and with a clear conscience through forgiveness, you are able to live according to that Way.
Teach me your ways, 0 Lord, that I may walk in your truth. Amen.
by Stuart Kleinig, in ‘Guidance for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2002)
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