The beloved physician Luke wrote how Paul told Felix the governor, “Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day. And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him. And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse twenty-five of the book of Acts Luke shared about Paul, “as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled”, where we read:
And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go your way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for you.
The verse begins, “And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, ...” Luke began with the words, “and as he reasoned of righteousness” which means “and during the time when Paul conversed, held discourse and discussed the state when a person is as he ought to be, acceptable to God in integrity, virtue, purity of life and correct thinking”, “temperance” or “and self-control which includes the virtue of one who master his desires, passions and sensual appetites”, “and judgment to come” which means “and condemnation of wrong, decrees and condemnatory sentence that shall arise and appear”, “Felix trembled” or “Felix, whose name means happy, was thrown into fear, terrified and frightened”, “and answered” or “and responded and began to speak” the following words. Luke shared how “Paul” spoke to “Felix” about being acceptable to God, correct thinking, self-control and pending condemnation of wrong which caused him to be terrified at “Paul's” words.
The verse continues, “... Go your way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for you.” Luke added the words, “go your way” which means “depart and leave” “for this time” or “now and at this present time”; “when I have a convenient season” which means “at the time and moment I, Felix, possess an opportune or seasonable time”, “I will call for you” or “I, Felix, will summon, beckon and ask for you, Paul”. Luke shared how “Felix” responded to “Paul's” words by telling “Paul” to leave him, and he would summon “Paul” again at another more seasonable time to listen.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Felix”, like many other people in the world, feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit when there is a presentation of the gospel. “Paul” spoke of three areas of concern for every human being - “purity with God, self-control and the judgment to come”. God desires to save people from their sins because anyone who sins will receive the “wages” for sin which is death. God's gift is eternal life through Jesus Christ His Son, (See Romans 6:23), and everyone who believes and trusts in Jesus will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life with God. Those who delay or put off a decision to receive Jesus and look for a “more convenient time” may not have an additional opportunity to receive Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”. Let all who read these words take heed.
Next time Luke shares how Felix, “hoped money should have been given him of Paul”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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