Acts 24:25: “Now as [Paul] 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.'”

April 21st, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

The Jews in Jerusalem were trying to kill Paul, and for his own protection, the Roman authorities sent him to Felix, the governor of Judah, in Caesarea, 62 miles away from Jerusalem. While there, Felix and his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish, asked Paul about “faith in Christ” (Acts 24:24).

Paul referred to 3 important aspects of faith in Christ. First, he brought up the subject of righteousness, something they did not possess. We do not have the complete message but no doubt Paul explained that righteousness doesn’t come by works but by faith in Jesus. He probably said something like, “Drusilla, you know that Abraham only believed God, but God took that and considered it righteousness.” God demands righteousness of all men, because He is in fact righteous in character, thought, and action. Secondly, Paul spoke of self-control, which the Romans did not practice. The only place this term appears in Paul’s writing is in Galatians 5 where he lists the fruit of the Spirit. Drusilla had been the wife of a king in Syria but Felix stole her away. By the time she met Paul, she had been living as Felix’s wife for 3 years. The third thing Paul spoke to them about was the subject of a future judgment. The message was obvious, failing to conform to God’s righteous standard will bring a guilty verdict to anyone when they stand before the Judgment seat to come.

It says simply that Felix was afraid. By living with a woman he had lured away from her rightful husband, Felix clearly lacked righteousness and self-control. The message was hitting a little too close to home, and the realization that he would face judgment frightened him. If the message was true, then he and Drusilla would have to stand before a King greater then Caesar Nero and be held accountable for their lives. When Felix said, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you,” he probably thought he had dodged a bullet. So close yet so far. The uncomfortable moment of conviction passed, and Felix foolishly missed his opportunity to repent. Did he ever have another opportunity? We do not know, but we should all grab on to and embrace each and every time the Holy Spirit brings conviction to our hearts, choosing to repent quickly.

“LORD, please forgive our sins; we turn and ask for Your forgiveness this moment.”