Time and (in)action

Posted

Read Acts 24:22-27. 

When the Apostle Paul was imprisoned in Caesarea, he had to defend himself against charges levied against him by members of the Jewish Sanhedrin. The Roman governor Felix listened to the charges and to Paul’s defense. Afterwards, Felix determined that Paul had done nothing wrong.  

However, Felix did not want to offend the Sanhedrin, so he kept Paul in prison. During Paul’s imprisonment, Felix and his wife Drusilla met with him to hear more about “the faith in Christ.” When Paul spoke of “righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come” Felix got frightened and sent Paul away.  

You see Felix was a very cruel and immoral man. He had stolen Drusilla away from her first husband. So, his response to Paul was, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time, I will call for you.”  

Felix hoped that Paul might try to bribe his way out, so he continued to converse with Paul. After two years, Felix remained unmoved. He put off what he needed to do spiritually and the more time that passed the less he wanted to deal with it.  

He is not unique. Whenever spiritual truth is not acted upon, the human heart tends to grow cold toward it.  

Is there any truth that you need to act upon? Are you putting off doing the right thing until a more convenient time? Chances are that time will never come and your desire to do it will wane.  

decisions, salvation