“Meddlin”

BIBLE READING: Acts 24                              

                Two elderly, women were sitting together in the front pew of church listening to a fiery preacher. When this preacher condemned the sin of stealing, these two ladies cried out at the tops of their lungs, "AMEN, BROTHER!” When the preacher condemned the sin of lust, they yelled again, "PREACH IT, PREACHERMAN!" And when the preacher condemned the sin of lying, they jumped to their feet and screamed, "RIGHT ON BROTHER, TELL IT LIKE IT IS... AMEN"! But when the preacher condemned the sin of gossip, the two got very quiet. One turned to the other and said, "He’s quit preaching and now he’s meddlin’." 

                As Paul stands before Felix, he reasoned with him about righteousness, self-control and the coming judgement.  From what we can gather, Felix might have had been somewhat of a fan of the teachings of the church.  The text said that he “had a rather accurate knowledge of the Way” (Acts 24.22).  He must have been somewhat intrigued about Paul’s teachings because he invited him to come and speak about “faith in Jesus”.  However, the moment Paul begins to “meddle”, he sends him away.  As Christians we all have our weaknesses and temptations, and although we may take a hard stand for the Truth, we get uncomfortable when our own toes get stepped on.  It is easy for us to hear lessons against sins and temptations that we do not struggle with.  Yet the moment we hear a lesson that condemns our weakness, we are quick to shut it out.  We have confused ourselves by thinking some sins are much worse than others, when that just simply is not the case.  All sin is equal in God’s eyes.  Even though some sins may carry harsher consequences, in God’s eyes, a sin, is a sin, is a sin.  Let’s not be like Felix and ignore what we need to do when we hear lessons that step on our toes, but rather repent and change…because we may not ever get another opportunity.