Striving
Guest Blog by Gary Riedel
S - SCRIPTURE: Acts 24:16(NIV) So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
O - OBSERVATION: Striving is something we’re all familiar with. Here Paul in testifying before 
Felix makes this comment. He strives to keep his conscience clear before God and man. It almost sounds like Paul is striving to be worthy of the Resurrection, although we know he understands that God’s Grace is the reason for salvation because of Ephesians 4:8,9. He by God’s inspiration wrote this book. So I believe Paul is actually striving to refrain from the temptation to sin that Grace may abound as he writes in Romans 6:1,2 What then shall I say, shall we go on sinning that grace may abound? We are those who have died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?
Felix makes this comment. He strives to keep his conscience clear before God and man. It almost sounds like Paul is striving to be worthy of the Resurrection, although we know he understands that God’s Grace is the reason for salvation because of Ephesians 4:8,9. He by God’s inspiration wrote this book. So I believe Paul is actually striving to refrain from the temptation to sin that Grace may abound as he writes in Romans 6:1,2 What then shall I say, shall we go on sinning that grace may abound? We are those who have died to sin, how can we live in it any longer?
A - APPLICATION: Satan is always probing on our weak spots and the striving is in saying no to him. When Jesus was tempted in Matthew 4:10, He said, “Away from me Satan”. A great line to remember when we are tempted! So, we strive, but always remember with great humility we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus, and when we fall down, we repent and He restores us by cleansing us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:,9
P - PRAYER: Gracious Father, we strive to run the race for the crown of life, but it is only because of Your Grace and Love manifested in Christ Jesus that we can finish the race to eternity with You! In Jesus Name, Amen
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