Acts 24:22-27
English Standard
Version (ESV)
22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of (A)the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes
down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he (B)should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that (C)none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his
needs.
24 After some days Felix came with his wife
Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about (D)faith (E)in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned (F)about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment,
Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. (G)When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”26 At
the same time he hoped (H)that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often
and conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded
by Porcius (I)Festus. And (J)desiring to do the Jews a favor, (K)Felix left Paul in prison.
Felix,
the man in charge, was familiar with the “Way”.
How do you think he knew about this movement? Was it because of the talk in his circles
regarding the death and resurrection of Christ.
Maybe he had been told how the earth responded at the crucifixion of
Christ? Had he been informed at how
those who followed Christ while He was on this earth had radically changed after
His resurrection? Had those who were Christian ever been given the opportunity to
share the Gospel with him. Just how did
he know? That question is up for
speculation but we do know that he was well aware of them.
As we
continue in scripture we see that he may have been familiar with them but he
did not really know much about them or the Christ that they served. Paul is given the opportunity to share with
him and his wife about faith in Christ but apparently they did not receive this
faith. What is a life without faith? All
we have to do is look at Felix and we know.
When Paul began to talk about things such as righteousness, I am pretty
sure he may have said something like this, “There is no one righteous, not even one:”
(Romans 3:10 NIV). As he spoke about
self-control he may have spoken about our inability to abstain from sin, he may
have said, “For all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God.” (Romans 3:23 NIV). Speaking of judgment he may have spoken about
the justice that was demonstrated on the cross for those who believe in Christ,
the one sacrificed as an atonement for our sins (Romans 3:25) and might have
further explained that without a faith in Christ Jesus that all of our sins are
to still be judged by the righteous judge.
Felix was stirred by the Holy Spirit, that is evident, yet he made Paul
stop talking rather than asking how he could have this faith that Paul was
talking about. He chose to shut him down rather than seek the Lord.
In the
end, Felix did what was right in his own eyes.
He chose to please people rather than God. We have to ask ourselves the same questions
that were probably stirring in Felix.
Why are we here? Why do we live
and breathe? Sometimes we begin to think
it is because of ourselves and we begin pleasing people to get what we want out
of life. We tend to forget that we are
here to bring praise and glory to our Lord and Savior. Paul didn’t forget that even when he was in
prison. He spoke the Words of our Lord
even at the threat of death. He knew why
he was here. Our challenge is to know
and recognize that as well. Are we a
Paul who seeks to spread the Good News to others or are we a Felix who has
chosen to please man rather than God.
As you
seek Him today may you find ways that you can honor the One who sent His One
and Only Son as atonement for our sins. Remember
we are here to please Him not man.
Seeking
Him with all my heart,
Sheila
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