“And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee” Acts 24:25 (KJV).
People could be so evasive when it comes to taking decisions or making choices that may not be convenient for them. It could be understandable or acceptable where such decisions or choices have to do with carnal and temporal things that one can do without, but where it concerns spiritual and eternal issues, it is a costly mistake. We cannot afford to toil with issues that concern our destiny.
It surprises me how people treat with levity important issues that boarder on eternity; most people act as if they have every factor of life under their control. They live carelessly with carefree attitude when it comes to their relationship with God. People respond to the gospel differently. For some, it is a response of antagonism. They attack the gospel and the preachers. To others, it is a response of outright rejection of the gospel without considering the implications. To some, it is a response of ridicule. Such people make mockery of the gospel and the preachers of the gospel. They often take pleasure in making a caricature of the message of the gospel.
For Felix, it was a different response altogether. Note that he trembled at the gospel preached by Paul. He acknowledged by his action the reality of the message of the gospel. It is obvious that he paid attention to the message and so was brought under the convicting powers of the Holy Spirit, but his response was surprising. Rather than yield to the gospel, he evaded responsibility by postponing commitment. Several reasons could be given for his evasion
- Personal reputation and ego
- Quest for personal gain from Paul’s predicament (Acts 17:32-34)
- Fear of the people
- Respect of persons and position.
God expect from us a response of commitment and that right now.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to always commit to the gospel in Jesus name
Rev. Vincent Diolu