Felix was intrigued and wanted to learn but not to the point of change. He wanted to learn but he didn’t want to think of a life of righteousness and self-control. He knew about the movement the “Way” but he didn’t want to transform or learn too much because then his convictions might drive him to be different.
Can you relate to Felix or think of something that you just didn’t or don’t want to let go of? Felix says to Paul, “Go away for now, he replied. When it is more convenient, I’ll call for you again.” We must remember that it is not about our convenience and our timing, it is about God’s. What has been something that we have pushed God to the back for, thinking when it is more convenient we’ll seek Him again? I challenge everyone, this includes me, to step up and realize the most convenient time is now. Open God’s word and ask Him for understanding. It tells us to ‘seek first the Kingdom’ we need to desire to live a righteous life with self-control and realize that the right time is now and we need to be ready. We can’t wait until we are sick or it is more convenient, we must be ready for living a Christ-like life so people can see a difference in us and they want to ask us why. Then we will celebrate what we learn and we will do all we can to please God now and we won’t be consumed by the lies of this world that so easily keep us distracted.
This made me think of the story of the rich man in Matthew chapter 19 verses 16-22 which say, “Someone came to Jesus with this question: ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life? Why ask me about what is good? Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good. But to answer your question – if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments. Which ones? The man asked. And Jesus replied: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love you neighbor as yourself.’ ‘I’ve obeyed all these commandments, the young man replied. What else must I do? Jesus told him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.” Notice the rich man was excited to hear what he thought was good enough but when Jesus upped the game and it became inconvenient to him he withdrew. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life, we must believe that His way is always the convenient time and we should desire to learn from Him always. Amen