THE FELIX PREDICAMENT
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 was being kept as a prisoner. It appears he was not in horrible conditions and had access to friends visiting him. But he was not free to come and go. Paul is having to defend himself before Felix, the governor of the region. The Jews were going to great lengths to have Paul convicted and killed, but they kept running into a brick wall. Or, more accurately, they kept running into God’s will and plan for Paul and made no progress.
In our verses for today, Felix and his Jewish wife, Drusilla, are listening to Paul privately. Paul is sharing with this high-ranking couple concerning faith in Christ. In the next few chapters, we find Paul making his defense, proclaiming the gospel, and seemingly unfazed by the power positions of the people he stood before. Paul was much more concerned with what God thought about him than the opinions of people.
Paul’s boldness and confidence in the message of Christ struck a nerve with Felix. Paul spoke of righteousness, being in right standing with God. Self-control which is a great Christian virtue, but it’s curious to me that the subject would come up with Felix. This is where we trust that Paul was being led by the Holy Spirit, who helped him craft a message, particularly for Felix. Paul also spoke about the judgment to come. It may have been the talk of impending judgment that got to Felix.
The predicament Felix found himself in sounds like a head-heart battle. After hearing Paul, Felix became afraid. God’s Word can cut like a sword, and it cut Felix to the heart. Why would this powerful Roman ruler be afraid? One of the Holy Spirit’s roles is to convict the world of sin. Paul shared Jesus and the Holy Spirit convicted the heart of Felix, and here is where we see the predicament. With his heart convicting him, Felix dismisses Paul and puts off hearing from him for a season. Go away, Paul, and when it is more convenient, I will call you again. Felix’s heart said go, but his head said no, and Felix put off making a decision.
APPLICATION
How many people today are facing the same predicament? How many people have their heart responding to the message of Jesus, but their head is fighting them? How many people are putting off making a decision until they have a more convenient time?
The best lesson we can learn from this passage is to respond to God’s Word without delaying the decision. Moving now will sure help end the conflict between our heads and our hearts.
PRAYER
Lord, I choose You today. I choose Your way today. I will not be caught in a conflict as Felix did. I receive today.