AP

Acts 24:25-27   As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgement to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now!  You may leave.  When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”  At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.  When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favour to the Jews, he left Paul in prison. 

Luke had informed us in verse 22 that Felix was ‘well acquainted with the Way’, so we see he was not in need of more information – what he needed was transformation.  Given this background, it is hard to imagine that he would not have found Paul’s Gospel defence very convincing and indisputable, but, like countless people since, the Governor was not interested in letting his head interfere with his heart.  He had his own agenda for his life worked out, and there was no room in it for a God before whom he might one day be called to account in Judgement.

Felix had at least three ‘good’ reasons for leaving Paul in prison with his case undecided

Firstly, there was the hope that the prisoner might be willing to ‘buy’ his freedom in order to continue his missionary activities;

Secondly, the frequent ‘religious discussions’ with him would have helped keep his heart’s conscience under control because he was at least appearing to be ‘religious’;

and Thirdly, it enhanced his standing with Paul’s enemies, a shrewd political move for him personally!

We often meet people like Felix today, having a veneer of religiousness, but not wanting to get too involved – and we might even have once been one of them – putting off the transformation to a ‘more convenient’ time.  Paul had met others of this ilk at Athens (17:21), and would later warn Timothy (and us!) about them too (2 Timothy 3:7).  Much of our work and witness seems to fall on deaf ears; yet this is another reminder of both God’s sovereignty in salvation, and the importance of the ministry of prayer.

“‘Almost persuaded’ now to believe, ‘Almost persuaded’ Christ to receive; seems now some soul to say, “Go, Spirit, go thy way; some more convenient day on thee I’ll call.”  ‘Almost persuaded’, come, come today ‘Almost persuaded’, turn not away;  Jesus invites you here, angels are lingering near, prayers rise from hearts so dear, O wanderer, come.  ‘Almost persuaded’, harvest is past; ‘Almost persuaded’, doom comes at last!  ‘Almost’ cannot avail,  ‘Almost’ is but to fail!  Sad, sad the bitter wail,  ‘Almost’, but lost!”  (Philip Bliss).

 Bruce Christian