Psalms 33-34, Acts 24 •Key Verse: Acts 24:16
There is nothing like seeing a highway patrolman in the rearview mirror to get a person to drive
the speed-limit—or even a few miles under, just in case the speedometer is off a bit. When the
internal moral compass is off a few degrees, an external influence, such as the sight of a patrol
car, can set us straight again. God has given us “influences” that can keep us doing right. Paul
mentioned them in his defense before Felix.
“I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man,” he said (v. 16). Before that
he named the things that kept him on track to a clear conscience. He worshiped God, living his
life in response to Him. Who God is, what He says and what He does affected Paul’s life.
He believed God’s Word. “I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the
Prophets,” Paul said (v. 14). His was not a vague spirituality, but a commitment to living out
biblical truth. And he had an eternal, perspective. There is more to life than, this world. There is
a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. Knowing this also affected the way Paul
lived.
His worship of God, belief in the Word and eternal perspective kept Paul on the right track. This
trio of “influences” needs to be ingrained in us as well and affect the way we live.
What keeps you from getting off track? Each of the influences that Paul mentioned is powerful,
but together they are even more potent. Worship God. Live His Word. Think of eternity.
Woodrow Kroll & Tony Beckett
www.backtothebible.in