Mon., 8/5/19 Devotion (Acts 23:1)

Today's encouragement comes from Acts 23:1, where we read these words:

"Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, 'Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.' "

This is a pretty remarkable statement uttered by Paul (above)—but he meant it. The old Saul of Tarsus "lived in all good conscience," even when he was persecuting Christ's church. The new Apostle Paul "lived in all good con-science," as he was now preaching Christ, and planting churches throughout the Roman Empire.

"Good conscience" is good, but it is not good enough. It needs to be led by the truth of the gospel, which comes to souls as a sovereign act of God's grace. *Regenerated* "good consciences" are especially good, because they have the Light (Jesus) guiding them. May our consciences be thoroughly con-trolled by Christ today, as we live by faith in Him.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Christ's blood only can merit pardon. We please God by repentance but we do not satisfy Him by it.” —Thomas Watson, in, "The Doctrine of Repentance"]