”“But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people. “After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God. My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting. But some Jews from the province of Asia were there—and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me! Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council found me guilty of, except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’” At that point Felix, who was quite familiar with the Way, adjourned the hearing and said, “Wait until Lysias, the garrison commander, arrives. Then I will decide the case.” He ordered an officer to keep Paul in custody but to give him some freedom and allow his friends to visit him and take care of his needs. A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. “Go away for now,” he replied. “When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” He also hoped that Paul would bribe him, so he sent for him quite often and talked with him. After two years went by in this way, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And because Felix wanted to gain favor with the Jewish people, he left Paul in prison.“
Acts of the Apostles 24:14-27 NLT
The curious thing about this passage lies in the fact that Felix became afraid. The implication is that Felix was convicted of the truth of Paul’s preaching. This is bolstered by the fact that Felix was both aware of Paul and the teachings of the Way, and gave Paul freedom while he was imprisoned. There is a certain irony here, in that Paul was allowed to be free I. His imprisonment, but it seems that Felix was not. He was not able to release Paul because he was, himself, trying to seek favor from the Jews around him. There are many satellites to Christianity who are exactly this way. They orbit the church and its followers, constantly interacting with the truth, but they are afraid of the implications of that truth in their lives. At the end, they sadly will miss the opportunity to be blessed by it, because they cared more about worldly fame than about the true opportunity before them. Paul is still one of the greatest philosophical minds to have lived and Felix had him at his call for two years. Yet, nothing came of it for Felix. Ironically, Paul did not seek fame or fortune and his words continue on to this day. Imagine if Felix had chosen to lean into God’s plan for him? We must not be short sighted in our pursuits.
JOSH McGARY.COM 