The Apostle Paul took his Christianity seriously. After the
conversion of this man Saul, and his new life in Jesus, he seemed so determined
to make the good news of the gospel known to all. He took missionary journeys,
and they are numbered and detailed in the maps section of most Bibles. All of
these trips were for the purpose of preaching and teaching about Jesus, and it
would seem that Paul would have smooth sailing as he worked so diligently to
practice the Great Commission. However,
numerous readings from the Acts of the Apostles gives us the truth of all the
hardships, near death experiences, and opposition that Paul faced. Your reading
today comes from accusations against Paul and his defense in front of a judge,
Felix. Please read the entire 24th chapter of Acts. Then the part we wish to focus on is in
verses 24 and 25:
24 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who
was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in
Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control
and the judgment 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.”
Paul's preaching on righteousness, self-control and the
judgment were apparently too uncomfortable for Felix to hear. Can you think of
teaching from the scripture that has made you feel uncomfortable?
Felix is memorable to us because we can see through reading
this chapter, he was sympathetic to the words of Paul's defense, and though
imprisoned, Paul was given special privileges. But when the truth became more
than Felix wanted to hear he said, "That's enough for now! You may leave,
When I find it convenient, I will send for you." Has our response, or lack of response to the
Lord ever centered around similar excuses? .....we prefer a more convenient
time?
In this case and in every case of adversity for Paul, he
remained faithful to the gospel call. He realized that closed doors did not mean
defeat as he bounced off of them till he was led to open doors of opportunity
to spread the good news. In that, Paul is an example for you and me.
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