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Thursday, November 1, 2018

”Today is the DAY” (Acts 24-26)



The Jewish leadership (Ananias the high priest and the elders) bring a man named Tertullus - a skilled lawyer to present their case at the court of Felix, with the following accusations: (24:1-6)

"For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law."
Paul is given the opportunity to speak in his defense and explains his ministry (24:14-19) and why he was arrested (24:20-21): ‘For the resurrection of the dead I am on trial before you today.”

“But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, "When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case." So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him.”

It is clear that Felix knew Paul was innocent, yet he did not want to identify himself with Paul's gospel and the people of the Way. So he made no decision and kept Paul in custody.

"Several days later Felix came with his wife [e]Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him talk about faith in Christ Jesus.  But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control [honorable behavior, personal integrity], and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for now, and when I find [a convenient] time I will send for you.” (24:24-25)
What was Felix afraid of?                                                                                                         


- Was he afraid of becoming a follower of Jesus himself?
-  Was he afraid of Jesus’s judgment, understanding he was living a sinful life?
Before making a final decision: for him (accepting God’s Salvation), and for Paul (his liberation), he asked Paul to leave and to wait for a more convenient time.
 In 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 Paul exhorts us:  Working together with Him, we strongly urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain [by turning away from sound doctrine and His merciful kindness]. For He says,At the acceptable time (the time of grace) I listened to you, And I helped you on the day of salvation.” Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation
Has it ever happened to you, that when you are witnessing to someone about your faith in Jesus they suddenly interrupt you telling you they have to go, that they’ll chat with you LATER on a more convenient time? How about you: when someone shared about Jesus and His Salvation, how did you react?
"Thou sayest, 'Another time.' How knowest thou that thou wilt ever feel again as thou feelest now? This morning, perhaps a voice is saying in thy heart, 'Prepare to meet thy God.' Tomorrow that voice will be hushed. The gaieties of the ball-room and the theatre will put out that voice that warns thee now, and perhaps thou wilt never hear it again. Men all have their warnings, and all men who perish have had a last warning. Perhaps this is your last warning." (Spurgeon)
As we continue reading, we find the true motives in Felix’s heart:
” 26 At the same time he was also hoping to get money from Paul [as a bribe]; so he continued to send for him quite often and talked with him.” (24:26)
Though Felix met often with Paul, there was something he was really hoping for: to be paid off with a bribe in order to release him! Imagine all this precious time with Paul being wasted, for the love of money! Exchanging His Grace for money! Sadly this is also happening with so many people we know: their hearts are filled with the cares of this world (Matt. 6:19-21) and they have no place for God’s Word and His Salvation through Jesus Christ!
 27 But after two years had passed, Felix was succeeded [in office] by [f]Porcius Festus; and wishing to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul imprisoned.” (24:27)
I will close today’s study with the words of M. Henry:
“Sinners often start up like a man roused from his sleep by a loud noise, but soon sink again into their usual drowsiness. Be not deceived by occasional appearances of religion in ourselves or in others. Above all, let us not trifle with the word of God. Do we expect that as we advance in life our hearts will grow softer, or that the influence of the world will decline? Are we not at this moment in danger of being lost forever? Now is the day of salvation; tomorrow may be too late.”
Please join me in prayer for all those whom we’ve shared the Gospel to and have not made their final decision for Jesus our Savior!!
Blessings,
Mary