Acts 24:16 NKJV This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

Paul was before the Governor of Caesarea, Felix, after being plotted against by the Jews in Jerusalem. Here he is pleading (via a carefully crafted sermon) as to why he does not deserve the bogus charge the Jews had made against him, and to tell Felix and whatever audience was there about Jesus and “the Way,” that which we call Christianity. Yet as he is sharing these words to the Governor, Paul makes this statement: so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.” 

So what exactly was Paul saying? 

1. This being so:Paul was acknowledging the Truth of what he believed in and who he believed in. Jesus is “the Way,” but the Way is also what they called all those who followed Jesus. Ultimately, he was letting Felix know that everything he did was because he believed in Jesus. 
2. I myself always strive: Paul wanted this audience to know that in every effort he made, every action he took, he took painstaking (requiring immense care and meticulous attention to detail) efforts to ensure. He did not take anything for granted or take steps haphazardly. He was very intentional in everything he did. 
3. to have a conscience without offense: So, what was he so careful about? To maintain a moral consciousness without any malicious intent to harm anyone. In this case, not to cause offense (not leading others to sin by one’s mode of life). He did not want to cause anybody to sin because of his actions. We live in a day of constant acknowledgment of people’s shortcomings, whether in government. official, teacher, church pastor, or the President of a country. It seems that every day, someone will do something to lead others astray or cause offense. After all, these Jews were about to kill Paul if they could, but Paul wanted Felix and us all to know that he carefully chose his actions in a way to ensure that nobody fell because of him. 
4. toward God and men: The thing about Paul is that he had lived much of his early life being offensive. Both to God and men. Remember, he was persecuting the early church so much that Jesus told him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 22:7). So then, I guess it was only right that, after meeting Jesus on that Damascus road, he would strive never to cause offense again. 

This leads me to ask: how are we living our lives? Are we living in a way to lead others to sin, or are we being diligent, disciplined, and deliberate to live lives that lead people to the Christ that Paul believed in??