After Paul was arrested in Jerusalem, he was taken to Caesarea for his safety, where he was brought before Governor Felix. When he was given a chance to defend himself, Paul claimed that one central reality shaped his life’s purpose, convictions, and actions.
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 (Acts 24:14–16).
Paul’s life was grounded in the hope of the resurrection. He insisted that this hope was not new. The law and the prophets pointed to it (Cf. Ps 49:15; Hos 6:1–3; 13:14; Isa 26:19; Ezek 37:1–14; Dan 12:1–3). The resurrection was embedded in the faith of Israel long before the New Testament era. Even Abraham looked forward to “the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God” (Heb 11:10)—the future home of all who belong to God.
Believers can and should look forward to the resurrection with eagerness because it is the hope of joy, peace, and the privilege of being in God’s presence forever. But Scripture is clear: believers are not the only ones who will be resurrected. Both the just and the unjust will be raised. This universal resurrection implies that at the resurrection, God will identify the just and the unjust; he will reward the just and punish the unjust.
For Paul, the resurrection and judgment were not merely cerebral concepts but realities that shaped his life’s purpose, convictions, and actions. Paul lived in such a way that his conscience would be clear toward God and toward man. Paul was a prolific evangelist, church planter, teacher, leadership developer, etc. because he was convinced that people need to be warned of the judgment, taught that Jesus is the savior, shown that God ought to be worshipped, educated how to order their worship and life, prepared to discern false teachings and practices, trained in loving their neighbor, etc. because one day they will be before God’s throne.
This same truth steadies us. In the face of discouragement, fear, and uncertainty, the certainty of the resurrection and judgment encourages, emboldens, and strengthens Christians in their purpose, convictions, and actions. None of the sorrows, sufferings, or persecutions is unseen by God. Jesus will return for his people.
Genuine believers “love the appearing of Jesus” (2 Tim 4:8). For them, that day is not a threat but a gift. On that day, they will receive their reward—the crown of righteousness—from the righteous judge. Until that day, we live the same way Paul did: with a clear conscience toward God and man.
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