A CONVENIENT TIME
Acts 24:24-25 NKJV
24 And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”
Paul is speaking to Felix, the Roman governor headquartered in Caesarea. Paul was imprisoned there, albeit he had been afforded liberties and access to outside friends and resources. Here is a good picture of God’s favor in operation. But Paul does not have the freedom to come and go as he pleases.
Paul had an opportunity to speak to Felix and his wife, Drusilla, privately. Drusilla was Jewish, and Felix had a good understanding of the Jewish culture and some knowledge of Christianity. Felix sent for Paul and listened to him as Paul shared about faith in Christ. This was evidently a free-flowing conversation because Paul was also able to discuss righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. I found the topic of self-control interesting as it pertains to one who has not come to faith.
However, it may have been the subject of the judgment to come that rattled Felix. Here is Paul, the imprisoned one, sharing information that causes the ruler of the country to be afraid. So afraid that Felix ends the conversation and tells Paul that at a more convenient time, they will get together again. Further reading shows that Felix and Paul would converse again, but we never see Felix making a decision for Christ. And two years later, Felix was succeeded by another Roman governor, Festus, and we never do find out where Felix wound up in his faith.
We have to give Paul credit for never backing away from the message of the gospel. And the message of the gospel seemed to generate three responses. People either believed or they rejected the message. Or people responded as Felix did and put off the decision, looking for a more convenient time.
APPLICATION
How Felix responded to Paul’s message then is still seen today. So many don’t openly reject the message of faith in Christ, but neither do they act on it. They are waiting for a more convenient time to make a decision. The biggest problem with procrastination is that in not making a decision, in actuality, they are making a decision to reject the gospel. A decision to wait is a no decision.
If we want to dig a bit further, how many of us have put off making commitments to what we see revealed in the Scriptures or what God has whispered to our hearts? I know I have done this and procrastinated on praying or trusting God in an area, waiting until I had my act together or had more faith. But spiritually, there is no neutral ground. It’s a yes or no kingdom. In 2 Corinthians 6:2, Paul would write that now is the accepted time, not wait for a more convenient time.
PRAYER
Lord, I choose You now. I choose to believe You and obey You now. I purpose in my heart to not procrastinate or wait for a better time.