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“I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men.” Acts 24:16
“All I can do is all I can do,” I said, making a sincere and valiant attempt not to sound disrespectful. “You know how hard I work—how committed I am to my best efforts here.” I took a deep breath, thinking it might be my last gulp of clean air in this job. “And all I can do ought to be enough for you.”
Did I mention that this speech was presented to the executive vice president of the corporation, my boss? And thankfully, because he was a man who encouraged candor among his direct reports and a man who believed in me, he didn’t tell me to clean out my desk or spruce up my résumé.
“I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and men,” the apostle Paul declared in a volatile setting (v. 16). He was standing before his accusers—individuals who would have preferred that Paul be reduced to room temperature. Imagine the courage, confidence, and self-assurance it took to say such a thing. But regardless of the possible consequences, this is exactly what he said.
What does it mean to have a clear conscience? It means you can say with a straight face, “I have done everything I can do. There are no sins to confess. No stones left to turn. Look wherever you want, but there will be no surprises.”
You’ve probably noticed that we are living in a time when men are quietly scrambling to hide from their pasts. One more hearing before a Senate committee or another disclosure from “an unknown source” brings us the predictable fare. Every day we hear of yet another man whose treacherous history is brought into the light of day, and the evening news is filled with more alibis, blame-shifting, or meticulously worded responses.
Where are the Pauls? Where are the leaders who have done all they could do? Where are the men—anywhere, in any walk of life—who live with a clear conscience?
And how is it with you and me? Have we told all, confessed all? Do we live our lives just one small step ahead of the truth of our past, or do we rest because we’ve withheld no secrets? Are we covering no lies, hiding no closeted skeletons?
The implications of this message could be important. It may mean that before the sun has set on this day, you must hold a meeting, shoot a text, or place a phone call. You may have some confessions to submit, a record to clear up.
And because of these disclosures, there could be consequences. But my guess is that Paul would promise us that a soul vindicated from full disclosure is well worth any price we may have to pay. In fact, as crisp as Paul’s testimony was to his adversaries and as liberating and as clean as these words left his heart, I’m sure this is what he would promise.
All you can do is all you can do. All you can say is all you can say. Just be certain that you’ve done—and said—everything you can do and say. It will be worth it. I promise.