“As Paul talked about 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.”” (Acts 24:25, NIV)
Less than twenty years after Pontius Pilate ordered Jesus’ crucifixion, the Roman government set up a man named Felix as procurator of Judea. Felix was a shrewd politician, known for both cruelty and shady dealings. It is believed he arranged the assassination of at least one religious leader. At the end of his term of office, Felix was even brought up on charges by Roman authorities for the misuse of money and using his influence to subvert justice.
Based on multiple historical records, it is possible Felix used his political power to manipulate his subjects through bribes and coercion. To add proof to these historical claims, Acts 24:26 mentions that Felix wanted a bribe from Paul. Since Paul was under house arrest for his preaching about Jesus, this seems highly plausible.
The scripture for today from Acts 24:25 contains a brief explanation of a discussion between Paul and Felix. At the time, Paul was under arrest for his Christian faith. Felix had the power not only to hear Paul’s plea but to decide Paul’s fate. Acts 24:25 begins with Paul defending his Christian faith on topics such as “righteousness, self-control, and the judgement to come”. The topics made Felix upset, with the scripture saying Felix grew “afraid” of the topic. No doubt, Felix’s sinful actions of bribery, murder, and coercion had something to do with it. Also, Felix’s marriage at the time was considered scandalous. He married Drusilla of Judea, whose family had great political clout. She divorced her previous husband to marry Felix. What is not known by many is that Felix kept Paul in prison for a full two years, despite Paul’s pleas of innocence.
I find it most interesting that when Paul spoke about faith issues and obedience to God, Felix’s response was, “That’s enough for now! …. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” (Acts 24:25, NIV). Felix was so hoping for a bribe that he was unwilling to decide on Paul’s case. Consequently, Felix didn’t find Paul’s preaching “convenient”. He also did not find it “convenient” to obey God in Christ, nor “convenient” to free Paul from prison. By putting Paul off, Felix was obstructing not only his own faith but was hindering Paul’s preaching. It is believed that Felix never did find it “convenient” to believe in Jesus. He died in obscurity with his morality in question. Many believe Felix went into hiding due to his reputation, never having to face trial for heinous crimes.
There are many people in the world who do not find faithfulness or righteousness to be “convenient”. Some put off belief in God, enjoying their sinful lifestyle. Others delay doing the right thing, because it may be costly. Truth be told, even some Christians do not find following the commandments or doing God’s work or forgiveness “convenient”. Since when has obedience to God or doing the right thing become a “convenience”?
Charlene graduated High School and was intelligent enough to receive a full scholarship to a Christian College. She felt so excited to be making her way in life, feeling a college degree could offer her so many more opportunities than her poor family could ever dream to give her.
Two months after beginning her studies, Charlene came to her classroom early. There, she witnessed a classmate being harassed and bullied. Two older sorority sisters were bullying a younger sorority sister to get a copy of the midterm test as well as use AI to assist them with an essay. Moments after Charlene entered the classroom, the heated discussion went quiet. The younger woman tried to mask her fear and tears. Many thoughts went through Charlene’s head in an instant. If Charlene said anything, she might also be bullied. If she reported the incident, the older women could lie their way out of it. Charlene might lose her scholarship in the process. Charlene also knew that the two older sorority sisters were among the most popular in the school. Intervening would risk Charlene’s social standing and make her a target as well. Within seconds, Charlene made her decision. She turned around and left the room.
Charlene’s action had consequences. For a long time after the incident, the two older sorority sisters would often gloat over their good grades and great reputation. As for the young sorority sister who was bullied, her future grew dim. The young woman refused to cheat for the other two. In the end, she was shunned from the sorority. Rumors circulated about her that severely damaged her reputation among fellow classmates. She dropped out of school in her second year.
Charlene always felt guilty that she walked away from that bullying without doing anything helpful. For years, she criticized her own cowardice. During a sermon at her home church, the pastor spoke about being courageous in love. Charlene had a difficult time finding forgiveness for what she had done. She had prioritized her own convenience over another person’s safety. She had chosen to remain silent when it advanced her own cause.
Have you ever prioritized doing what is right over your own comfort? Have you ever chosen convenience over righteousness or responsibility? Jesus never took the most “convenient” road in life. He even traveled to Jerusalem knowing his life was in danger. When convenience becomes more important than faithfulness or doing what is right by God, love of God is replaced with some necessary evil. Felix is proof of this sin of convenience.
How much does convenience matter in your decisions?
Based on multiple historical records, it is possible Felix used his political power to manipulate his subjects through bribes and coercion. To add proof to these historical claims, Acts 24:26 mentions that Felix wanted a bribe from Paul. Since Paul was under house arrest for his preaching about Jesus, this seems highly plausible.
The scripture for today from Acts 24:25 contains a brief explanation of a discussion between Paul and Felix. At the time, Paul was under arrest for his Christian faith. Felix had the power not only to hear Paul’s plea but to decide Paul’s fate. Acts 24:25 begins with Paul defending his Christian faith on topics such as “righteousness, self-control, and the judgement to come”. The topics made Felix upset, with the scripture saying Felix grew “afraid” of the topic. No doubt, Felix’s sinful actions of bribery, murder, and coercion had something to do with it. Also, Felix’s marriage at the time was considered scandalous. He married Drusilla of Judea, whose family had great political clout. She divorced her previous husband to marry Felix. What is not known by many is that Felix kept Paul in prison for a full two years, despite Paul’s pleas of innocence.
I find it most interesting that when Paul spoke about faith issues and obedience to God, Felix’s response was, “That’s enough for now! …. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” (Acts 24:25, NIV). Felix was so hoping for a bribe that he was unwilling to decide on Paul’s case. Consequently, Felix didn’t find Paul’s preaching “convenient”. He also did not find it “convenient” to obey God in Christ, nor “convenient” to free Paul from prison. By putting Paul off, Felix was obstructing not only his own faith but was hindering Paul’s preaching. It is believed that Felix never did find it “convenient” to believe in Jesus. He died in obscurity with his morality in question. Many believe Felix went into hiding due to his reputation, never having to face trial for heinous crimes.
There are many people in the world who do not find faithfulness or righteousness to be “convenient”. Some put off belief in God, enjoying their sinful lifestyle. Others delay doing the right thing, because it may be costly. Truth be told, even some Christians do not find following the commandments or doing God’s work or forgiveness “convenient”. Since when has obedience to God or doing the right thing become a “convenience”?
Charlene graduated High School and was intelligent enough to receive a full scholarship to a Christian College. She felt so excited to be making her way in life, feeling a college degree could offer her so many more opportunities than her poor family could ever dream to give her.
Two months after beginning her studies, Charlene came to her classroom early. There, she witnessed a classmate being harassed and bullied. Two older sorority sisters were bullying a younger sorority sister to get a copy of the midterm test as well as use AI to assist them with an essay. Moments after Charlene entered the classroom, the heated discussion went quiet. The younger woman tried to mask her fear and tears. Many thoughts went through Charlene’s head in an instant. If Charlene said anything, she might also be bullied. If she reported the incident, the older women could lie their way out of it. Charlene might lose her scholarship in the process. Charlene also knew that the two older sorority sisters were among the most popular in the school. Intervening would risk Charlene’s social standing and make her a target as well. Within seconds, Charlene made her decision. She turned around and left the room.
Charlene’s action had consequences. For a long time after the incident, the two older sorority sisters would often gloat over their good grades and great reputation. As for the young sorority sister who was bullied, her future grew dim. The young woman refused to cheat for the other two. In the end, she was shunned from the sorority. Rumors circulated about her that severely damaged her reputation among fellow classmates. She dropped out of school in her second year.
Charlene always felt guilty that she walked away from that bullying without doing anything helpful. For years, she criticized her own cowardice. During a sermon at her home church, the pastor spoke about being courageous in love. Charlene had a difficult time finding forgiveness for what she had done. She had prioritized her own convenience over another person’s safety. She had chosen to remain silent when it advanced her own cause.
Have you ever prioritized doing what is right over your own comfort? Have you ever chosen convenience over righteousness or responsibility? Jesus never took the most “convenient” road in life. He even traveled to Jerusalem knowing his life was in danger. When convenience becomes more important than faithfulness or doing what is right by God, love of God is replaced with some necessary evil. Felix is proof of this sin of convenience.
How much does convenience matter in your decisions?