Paul was a man who seized every opportunity to share the gospel of Jesus Christ. It didn't matter if he was in a synagogue, the marketplace, Mars Hill with philosophers, or to women washing clothes down by a river. He was bold to proclaim of God's judgment and the salvation through Jesus even before rulers. After being arrested and imprisoned Acts 24:24-25 tells us, "And
after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent
for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 25 Now as he reasoned about righteousness,
self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away
for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."
Felix trembled as Paul reasoned with him concerning righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit has been sent to convict men of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11), and Felix squirmed as judgment according to the Law was brought to bear upon his conscience. Yet instead of confessing his sin and repenting, Felix decided to put it off for another day. He was convicted by his sin but there was no evidence of sorrow. According to the verses following, Felix never found a convenient time to call Paul before him. Two years passed and Felix was transferred. For our flesh humility, public confession, and repentance is never convenient. It has the appeal of a cold bath to a water-phobic feline. Repentance is a necessary step to be forgiven by God and spared eternal wrath. Those who put off repentance long enough will have all eternity in hell to regret their procrastination.
The righteous demands of the Law and the sure judgment for sin are key aspects of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Peter, Paul, and others in the New Testament wove these themes into their addresses to unbelievers. After declaring how God was not according to man's design, Paul said in Acts 17:30-31, "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." 32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear you again on this matter." The sure promise of judgment by the Almighty God is not enough to persuade people to repent, but happy are those who sorrow for their sin and do repent. There is no regret for those who repent and choose God's way.
To say you will respond to the demands of the Gospel in a convenient time is a promise to never do so. Praise the LORD for sending the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment so we will never find rest or lasting comfort whilst in sin. Unbelievers need forgiveness and so do Christians, for sin separates us from God. Admission of sin and repentance are the first steps to putting us back on good terms with our Heavenly Father, and there is nothing to regret when God regains His rightful place in our lives as Saviour and LORD.
Felix trembled as Paul reasoned with him concerning righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. Jesus tells us the Holy Spirit has been sent to convict men of sin, righteousness, and judgment (John 16:7-11), and Felix squirmed as judgment according to the Law was brought to bear upon his conscience. Yet instead of confessing his sin and repenting, Felix decided to put it off for another day. He was convicted by his sin but there was no evidence of sorrow. According to the verses following, Felix never found a convenient time to call Paul before him. Two years passed and Felix was transferred. For our flesh humility, public confession, and repentance is never convenient. It has the appeal of a cold bath to a water-phobic feline. Repentance is a necessary step to be forgiven by God and spared eternal wrath. Those who put off repentance long enough will have all eternity in hell to regret their procrastination.
The righteous demands of the Law and the sure judgment for sin are key aspects of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Peter, Paul, and others in the New Testament wove these themes into their addresses to unbelievers. After declaring how God was not according to man's design, Paul said in Acts 17:30-31, "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, 31 because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." 32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear you again on this matter." The sure promise of judgment by the Almighty God is not enough to persuade people to repent, but happy are those who sorrow for their sin and do repent. There is no regret for those who repent and choose God's way.
To say you will respond to the demands of the Gospel in a convenient time is a promise to never do so. Praise the LORD for sending the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment so we will never find rest or lasting comfort whilst in sin. Unbelievers need forgiveness and so do Christians, for sin separates us from God. Admission of sin and repentance are the first steps to putting us back on good terms with our Heavenly Father, and there is nothing to regret when God regains His rightful place in our lives as Saviour and LORD.
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