We live in an age of convenience which boasts indoor plumbing, electricity on demand, fast and affordable transportation, and technology which has made instant communication across the globe possible. Should we find something inconvenient we seek to make to process faster, easier, and more time-efficient. But there are some things, regardless of innovation or technological advancement, could never be aptly described as "convenient" in an easy or simple sense. Powdered coffee may be convenient, but it is far from (as we would say in Australia) a proper coffee.
According to Webster's 1828 edition, the word "convenient" is defined as, "suitable; proper; adapted to use or to wants; commodious." It is evident by reading this definition it is subjective term. One person might believe powdered coffee is perfectly suitable for a morning cuppa, but others would scoff at even the suggestion. Suits are intended to be tailored individually to fit each wearer, but paying extra for this luxury to some does not seem convenient: it is easier and cheaper to buy a suit off a rack. It may be over the years the emphasis of the definition of "convenient" has moved away from what is proper and drifted to something adapted to our personal desires. All of this thinking came from what Felix said to Paul in Acts 24.
After Paul was arrested and taken to Caesarea, he spoke at length with the Roman governor named Felix. When no decision was immediately made concerning his case, during the period of his incarceration he met with Felix on many occasions. Acts 24:24-25 reads, "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." There is it: a "convenient time." Righteousness before God, self-control as a fruit of the Spirit, and the coming judgment all people will face are all suitable and proper doctrines. They are always proper concerning our personal self-evaluation: how can a sinner stand before a righteous God? Does not our lack of self-control condemn us? What shall we do, knowing we will be judged according to God's holy standard revealed in scripture with eternity in heaven or hell at stake?
The words Paul spoke caused Felix to tremble in fear so great was his sense of conviction. In light of Paul's reasonings he imagined there must be a more convenient time to address these inconvenient truths, so he sent Paul away and procrastinated for a more "convenient time." The revelation of a righteous God, our sin, and the judgment to come are always convenient - suitable and proper for all men for all time. They however can never be made convenient, as in "adapted to use or wants." It is never preferred or easy for our flesh to repent of our lack of self-control, outbursts of wrath, or deceit. If you are waiting for a convenient time like Felix was, perhaps you will also be like Felix who put off reasoning about these fitting subjects indefinitely.
Because Felix would not repent and receive righteousness through faith in Jesus, he remained in his sin. He was a man blinded and corrupted by greed as Acts 24:26 reveals: "Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him." He sat in the seat of judgment and gave the appearance of interest in what Paul had to say, but his motive was a desire for a bribe. If Paul would pay him off, though innocent of all charges, he would gladly set him free. The ironic thing is the truth of the words Paul spoke were of infinitely greater value than money, for he shared the means of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus and the Gospel Felix could freely receive. Judgment to come and the way of salvation cannot be adapted to our preferences, but are most convenient topics to lay to heart and address today: today is the convenient day for repentance and forgiveness from God, the day we can be made righteous by faith.
Was it convenient for Jesus to die on Calvary? At what point does having nails driven through flesh seem easy? It was convenient in the sense it was suitable and proper Jesus should do the will of the Father and die as the Lamb of God to atone for the sins of the world. God has made salvation convenient for us in adapting a suitable and effective way to salvation by grace through faith we could not earn for ourselves. Communication through words is a funny thing because no matter how directly something is stated we can wriggle away to dodge the point. Doing so when it comes to righteousness, self-control, and judgment is never in our interest because it is God's revelation of our need and His gracious supply if we will hearken, confess our sin, repent, and trust in Him alone. Those who put off dealing with conviction of sin for "a convenient time" will find it never comes - because it is to be addressed today.
According to Webster's 1828 edition, the word "convenient" is defined as, "suitable; proper; adapted to use or to wants; commodious." It is evident by reading this definition it is subjective term. One person might believe powdered coffee is perfectly suitable for a morning cuppa, but others would scoff at even the suggestion. Suits are intended to be tailored individually to fit each wearer, but paying extra for this luxury to some does not seem convenient: it is easier and cheaper to buy a suit off a rack. It may be over the years the emphasis of the definition of "convenient" has moved away from what is proper and drifted to something adapted to our personal desires. All of this thinking came from what Felix said to Paul in Acts 24.
After Paul was arrested and taken to Caesarea, he spoke at length with the Roman governor named Felix. When no decision was immediately made concerning his case, during the period of his incarceration he met with Felix on many occasions. Acts 24:24-25 reads, "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." There is it: a "convenient time." Righteousness before God, self-control as a fruit of the Spirit, and the coming judgment all people will face are all suitable and proper doctrines. They are always proper concerning our personal self-evaluation: how can a sinner stand before a righteous God? Does not our lack of self-control condemn us? What shall we do, knowing we will be judged according to God's holy standard revealed in scripture with eternity in heaven or hell at stake?
The words Paul spoke caused Felix to tremble in fear so great was his sense of conviction. In light of Paul's reasonings he imagined there must be a more convenient time to address these inconvenient truths, so he sent Paul away and procrastinated for a more "convenient time." The revelation of a righteous God, our sin, and the judgment to come are always convenient - suitable and proper for all men for all time. They however can never be made convenient, as in "adapted to use or wants." It is never preferred or easy for our flesh to repent of our lack of self-control, outbursts of wrath, or deceit. If you are waiting for a convenient time like Felix was, perhaps you will also be like Felix who put off reasoning about these fitting subjects indefinitely.
Because Felix would not repent and receive righteousness through faith in Jesus, he remained in his sin. He was a man blinded and corrupted by greed as Acts 24:26 reveals: "Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him." He sat in the seat of judgment and gave the appearance of interest in what Paul had to say, but his motive was a desire for a bribe. If Paul would pay him off, though innocent of all charges, he would gladly set him free. The ironic thing is the truth of the words Paul spoke were of infinitely greater value than money, for he shared the means of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus and the Gospel Felix could freely receive. Judgment to come and the way of salvation cannot be adapted to our preferences, but are most convenient topics to lay to heart and address today: today is the convenient day for repentance and forgiveness from God, the day we can be made righteous by faith.
Was it convenient for Jesus to die on Calvary? At what point does having nails driven through flesh seem easy? It was convenient in the sense it was suitable and proper Jesus should do the will of the Father and die as the Lamb of God to atone for the sins of the world. God has made salvation convenient for us in adapting a suitable and effective way to salvation by grace through faith we could not earn for ourselves. Communication through words is a funny thing because no matter how directly something is stated we can wriggle away to dodge the point. Doing so when it comes to righteousness, self-control, and judgment is never in our interest because it is God's revelation of our need and His gracious supply if we will hearken, confess our sin, repent, and trust in Him alone. Those who put off dealing with conviction of sin for "a convenient time" will find it never comes - because it is to be addressed today.
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