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by Sandy Shaw
In Acts 24 verse 23, when Paul has given his defence in court and humanly speaking ought to have been released and set free, he is kept under guard, but permitted a degree of freedom, and allowed to receive visitors who would look after him. He is what we call in Scotland, "remanded in custody", but there is some compassion here at the heart of the Roman Empire. A few days later, Felix sends for Paul, and Felix and his Jewish wife Drusilla listen to Paul, as he spoke about faith in Jesus Christ.
Paul speaks about righteousness - Self-control - and the judgement to come. He selects major themes. Our righteousness in Christ - and when we are righteous in Christ there should be self-control. We should be able to control our lives - our behaviour - our temper - our tongue - and then Paul went on to speak about the judgement to come. Fewer and fewer people continue to believe in judgement to come, today. What is your position regarding this?
These are areas which many do not want to hear about - many would like to have faith without Repentance and Righteousness. Many would like to have God without godliness. Many are interested up to a point - up to this point - and when Paul introduces these subjects - Felix becomes afraid - and he has every cause to become afraid - but this was a bit too much for him - and he indicates to Paul that we have had enough for today.
Verse 25. That's enough for now. You may leave.
Spiritual truths do upset people. Many become disturbed and distressed when the truth of God comes this close, and, there is no need to, because Jesus always draws near in mercy and love, when He seeks to deal with us - always.
As soon as Paul became what must have been a little too personally challenging, Felix postponed hearing more - until - "when I find it convenient".
Jesus seldom ministers to us, when it is convenient for us. Jesus would have the sick follow Him - and listen to Him - and travel miles - for three days or so - and, the, He would heal them.
But, we also read, that Felix was looking for a bribe from Paul. He sent for him now and again, hoping that Paul would offer him some money, and so could be set free. Our world is full of this today - of course we are told they are NOT bribes but gifts.
Paul was a man who could not be bought - but he had been bought - with the precious redeeming cleansing Blood of Jesus Christ. Could you be bought? Would you compromise the Gospel of Jesus Christ if someone came along and offered you money?
Felix was also afraid of the people. He wanted to keep in with certain people. He wanted to grant a favour to the Jews. Felix was the kind of man who would gauge public opinion, and give consideration to what the people thought of him, and this meant that Paul was left to languish in jail in Caesarea for two years.
Felix heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the plainest and simplest and clearest of terms. He was interested in a superficial way, but remained closed and unsaved and unforgiven - as far as we know.
When Jesus refers to those who will experience weeping and gnashing of teeth, Jesus has in mind those who have been so near, but had walked away - those who had been so close, but remained closed - those who had the opportunity to receive all that God had for them, but would accept nothing.
This is what happens here. Felix knew he was not right in the sight of God - but would not face up to it. See how near he was. Felix kept putting it off, and putting it off, postponing that moment when he comes to believe in Jesus, and one day a man called Porcius Festus replaced Felix, and Felix left Caesarea, unforgiven, unsaved, guilty, having been so very near - so very close.
Quite an alarming passage - but so realistic - and it allows us to see that not everyone who heard Paul time and time again came to faith in Jesus Christ.
Alexander 'Sandy' Shaw is pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship in Nairn, Scotland. Nairn is 17 miles east of Inverness - on the Moray Firth Coast - not far from the Loch Ness Monster!
Gifted as a Biblical teacher, Sandy is firmly committed to making sure that his teachings are firmly grounded in the Word.
Sandy has a weekly radio talk which can be heard via the Internet on Saturday at 11:40am, New Orleans time, at wsho.com.
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