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Clear Conscience
Friday, February 28, 2025 by Rick Stockwell
Clear Conscience
READ Acts 24:1-16
So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
-- Acts 24:16 (NIV)
It nagged me for years—the Hotel Colon bathmat I’d stolen during a high school trip to Spain. I’d see it from time to time in our linen closet. I knew it didn’t belong to me, but figured they wouldn’t miss one bath towel. Later in life, I read a book by Dr. Erwin Lutzer about having a clear conscience before God and decided I needed to take action.
I wrote a letter to the hotel apologizing for the theft forty-plus years earlier, and enclosed the towel plus the money I estimated it would take to buy a new bathmat. To my surprise, the management of the Hotel Colon in Madrid responded a few months later with a gift—a Hotel Colon bathrobe and an offer to stay at their hotel for three nights for free. The letter also poked fun at me for trying to make restitution for such a small indiscretion.
There are times when the Holy Spirit convicts us about sin in our life. I’ve learned that it’s best to deal with whatever the issue is right away, rather than letting it fester. It’s a wonderful feeling having such items addressed so I can have a clear conscience before God.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
A clear conscience is more precious than gold.
Prayer: Father in heaven, please help us to make restitution for any past wrongs so we can have a clear conscience before you.
Prayer Focus: HOTEL EMPLOYEES
Rick Stockwell
Rick Stockwell retired from a career in information technology, teaches Sunday school for first graders, served as an elder at his church, has been married for thirty-five years, and has two children and six grandchildren.
Rick is the author of two novels in his Heavenly Realms series called The Wall and The Battle. Audio, eBook and paperback versions are accessible via this link: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07HQ8G3MJ
Comments
Diane McAndrews From West Hartford, CT At 3/1/2025 4:19:38 PM
You are fortunate that the hotel was still in existence so you could act on your desire to "come clean"- no pun intended! You definitely should take them up on their 3 day offer to go back !John Carmon From Avon, CT At 2/28/2025 8:16:50 PM
Great outcome! It showed their appreciation 10 or more fold for your apology. What a wonderful outcome and shows Gods grace has no time limits??????Reply by: Rick Stockwell
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