«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’ » (Acts 24:25).
FELIX WAS a corrupt and unscrupulous freed slave. He had fallen in love with Drusilla, a Jew from Jerusalem and daughter of Agrippa II, married to Azizus, king of Emesa. This produced a war in which Azizus was defeated. When Felix returned from battle. he met Paul.
Tertullus, an attorney skilled in oratory, flattered Felix and accused Paul. However, the apostle did not act as a defendant. Rather than defending himself, he intrepidly defended the message of which he was a bearer. He did not see in Felix a Roman governor, but a sinner, restless, frightened, even terrified. Considering that Felix had previously been an unjustly treated slave, and had been able to reach such a high position through maneuvers and lies, Paul spoke to him of justice, of a correct attitude and conduct to. ward God and his fellow man. Of course, because his life was not reflected in the words he heard, Felix trembled as he thought of divine judgment.
Then Paul talked to him about self-control, something completely opposed to the life of that great culprit, who thought he could live without being accountable to any. one. Now Paul, the accused, was speaking to the one who at that moment was his judge, providing for both him and his wife an opportunity for salvation in the face of the great judgment before the Judge of the universe.
Undoubtedly, the Holy Spirit was working on that man, but he resisted. He was perturbed by his guilty conscience; he even hoped Paul would bribe him so he could set him free. Meanwhile, he became more and more of a prisoner to his sins. Felix did not openly reject Paul, but disguised his rejection, leaving the matter for another, better time, which never came, because «your later may be late» (Israelmore Ayivor).
The great culprit kept trembling. That is because a guilty conscience always makes one uncomfortable. When Felix stretched out his hand to deliver a sentence against Paul, he also pronounced it against himself. «When I have a convenient time I will call for you,» he said.
Before the throne of God there will be no excuses, lies, delays, or indifference to justify our indecision.
«This life is man’s time of preparation for the future life.
Should he neglect present privileges and opportunities he would suffer an eternal loss; no new probation would be given him» (The Acts of the Apostles, p. 423).
How long have you been delaying your decision and commitment? A delay solves nothing and nothing justifies a delay.
«I tell you that the ‘right time’ is now.
The ‘day of salvation’ is now» (2 Cor. 6:2, ERV).
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Taken from: Daily Devotions for Adults 2021
“HIS GRACE IS ENOUGH”
From: Bruno Raso
Colaboradores: Alejandra Zavala & Alexandra Perez
