Truth Spoken, Never Heard

Acts 24:24-27 Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 As Paul discoursed on 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.” 26 At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him. 27 When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.
 
THE governor Felix had treated Paul with fairness, but now God’s truth exposes Felix’s corrupt heart. Jesus had prophesied, “When the Helper comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment: 9 in regard to sin, because men do not believe in me.” (John 16:8-9) When Felix heard Paul speak of God’s righteousness, obedient self-control to refrain from sinful lusts and Jesus’ judgment, Felix felt the weight of his sin.
   There was good reason. Felix’s marriage to Drusilla was his third, ending another marriage to marry her. Paul knew what Felix needed to hear his sins for the repentance of sins and to be forgiven. But Felix rejected the truth and remained in Satan’s bondage. The governor and judge was afraid of God’s governing authority to judge him guilty.
   Greed also motivated Felix. He knew Paul was innocent; yet for two years he kept Paul in jail, hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe. Felix was truly the one on trial here. (Woe to those) who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent. (Isaiah 5:23)
   Felix certainly heard much truth from Paul, but it had no effect. Felix is the perfect example of one who goes to church often but never believes and lives what he hears. He remains ignorant and self-serving. As a result, he remains condemned. Listening to the truth of sin and salvation must be heard in the heart.
   As we consider Paul’s circumstance does it frustrate you? Do you wonder why the Lord allowed his apostle to suffer jail for no reason?
   We must always stop to know that in God’s mind was a good reason to hold Paul where he was. God had planned Paul’s future. Paul trusted his Lord and saw him in all circumstances: 2 Corinthians 12:10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.