“Seizing The Moment”
BIBLE
READING: Acts 24-26
In our readings today, we are confronted with two of the
saddest stories within all of Scripture.
The first is the story of Felix.
Felix was the Roman procurator of Iudaea Province,
whose wife Drusilla was a Jew. Felix had
come from Jerusalem to bring charges against Paul because of his
preaching. In the closest thing that
Paul has received to a trial at this point, Paul gives his defense. Felix, maybe due to his wife being a Jew, had
a “rather
accurate knowledge of the Way” (Acts 24.23). As he listens to Paul’s defense, which
included Paul’s conversion as well as items of self-control, righteousness and
judgement, Felix was alarmed and said “Go away for the present. When I get an
opportunity, I will summon you” (Acts 24.25). Sadly, from what we understand of secular
history, that opportunity never came.
The next story involves Agrippa, who was the Jewish King. As Paul makes his defense to King Agrippa,
Paul knows that Agrippa has understood and believes the message that Paul
presents. However, Agrippa replies “In a
short time would you persuade me to be a Christian? (Acts 26.28). Again sadly, that time never came. What do these two accounts teach us? The first lesson we learn is that the Gospel
message is important for us to hear. In
both cases, Paul eagerly presents the story of the Cross to individuals who
needed it. Secondly, we learn that time
is precious. We never know when the last
time will be for us to hear the story of the cross. Therefore, when we do hear
and are cut to our hearts, we must seize the moment and obey while we can. There is never a good reason to procrastinate
becoming a child of God. If we do, we
risk becoming like Felix and Agrippa…lost.
Prayer Requests:___________________________________________________________________________________
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