And after five days the high priest Ananias came down with some elders and a spokesman, one Tertullus. They laid before the governor their case against Paul. 2 And when he had been summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying:
“Since through you we enjoy much peace, and since by your foresight, most excellent Felix, reforms are being made for this nation, 3 in every way and everywhere we accept this with all gratitude. 4 But, to detain you no further, I beg you in your kindness to hear us briefly. 5 For we have found this man a plague, one who stirs up riots among all the Jews throughout the world and is a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. 6 He even tried to profane the temple, but we seized him. 8 By examining him yourself you will be able to find out from him about everything of which we accuse him.”
9 The Jews also joined in the charge, affirming that all these things were so.
10 And when the governor had nodded to him to speak, Paul replied:
“Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully make my defense. 11 You can verify that it is not more than twelve days since I went up to worship in Jerusalem, 12 and they did not find me disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd, either in the temple or in the synagogues or in the city. 13 Neither can they prove to you what they now bring up against me. 14 But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, 15 having a hope in God, which these men themselves accept, that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust. 16 So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man.
I wonder whether Paul brought upon himself some of the trouble he experienced. Was he just a bit too harsh in some of the towns he visited on his journeys? Did he occasionally speak too boldly? Was he inclined to grab the tiger by the tail in some encounters? Did he push the boundaries just a bit too far on occasion? Maybe that’s why he was beaten. Could be he was thrown into prison because of that. There is a common denominator here in all these situations: Paul. Did Paul have an attitude?
When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we pray, “Forgive us our tresspasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” Did Paul need to pray that prayer? Is it true that, “we daily sin much and surely deserve nothing but punishment?” Such was the conviction of Martin Luther. Paul would write of himself, “O wretched man that I am…” (Romans 7:24). Yet Paul says that he “always takes pains to have a clear conscience toward God and man.” The only way that is possible is through the forgiveness of Christ and the gracious attitude of men.
I can really identify with Paul’s words there in Romans 7. I am all too aware of my sins and shortcomings. Paul says he is the chief of sinners. I’m right there next to him. But Paul’s entire ministry is testimony to how God can use any of us for his kingdom’s purposes. As one who seeks to honor God in my whole life, I am thankful for his forgiveness and dedicated to honoring him in all I say or do – seeking to have a clear conscience toward God and man.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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