Jump Start # 726

Acts 24:25 “But as he was discussing righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present, and when I find the time I will summon you.”

We had a time change yesterday. We call it, “fall back.” It’s when we turn our clocks back one hour. Most like that day. An extra hour to sleep in. It’s hard to realize how many clocks a person has until they have to go around are reset them. Time is an important part of our lives. Our world surrounds itself around time. We are to be at a certain place at a certain time. Games start at a certain time. There is a time that my favorite show comes on TV. We get out of bed at a certain time. Even our church services begin at a specific time.

Some are real good at keeping time, others are always late. Time has become a part of our vocabulary. There is “half-time”, “part-time,” “full-time,” “solar time,” “over-time,” “time-out.” We speak of running out of time, needing more time, can’t find the time, and “look at the time.” The busier our lives are the more conscious we are of time. When you have to be somewhere at a specific time, keeping an eye on the time is essential.

Our verse speaks about time. Paul had been arrested and was in prison. He would eventually be sent to Rome. In the mean time, he was brought out to speak to Felix. On this occasion, Paul discussed three things. These are important things. He didn’t talk about how the Romans were doing in war. He didn’t ask about politics. He didn’t talk sports. Three topics. All connected together. All involve our relationship with God. All require personal responsibility. These three things we ought to discuss with our family and friends.

1. Righteousness. This is the state of being right. Only God can determine and declare a soul to be right. Jesus said to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Mt 6:33). Righteousness is opposite of “wrongness” or wickedness. God wants all of us to be right. There is only one way to be right with God and that is to obey Him.

2. Self-control. Interesting topic to bring before Felix. Self-control is the control of self. Many things fit under the heading of self-control. Controlling our anger or temper heads the list. An angry leader will lop off the head of someone who disagrees with him. That’s not good leadership skills. Self-control includes our mouth. Some folks are too “mouthy.” They talk too much. They share too much. They reveal too much. Facebook is becoming a big problem with this. Too many air personal and private feelings that should not be read by the world. We teach our kids in Bible class the song that says, “Be careful will mouth what you say…” Adults need a newer version of this. “Be careful little fingers what you type…” Self-control includes lust and passion. There is a place for intimacy and it is in marriage. Before marriage one gets in trouble  if passion is allowed to run wild and free. Self-control. Many of us need that. Felix did.

3. The Coming Judgment. This is why the first two topics matter. We need to be right and we need to be in control because there is a judgment coming. Without a judgment, those things do not matter all that much. Jesus is coming. Matthew 25 teaches that. The apostles preached that. We will be judged. We will stand before God. Mercy and grace will come to those who have believed and trusted God. Without mercy, no man can face the judgment with confidence. All will be judged. There is no escaping it.

When Felix heard those things he became “frightened.” That’s something. We don’t “scare” many with our teaching and preaching any more. We’ve softened it and made it nice so none are offended. Not Paul. He laid it out there just as plain as it could be. He didn’t try to win points with Felix. He told him. Felix got scared. When was the last time talking about the Bible scared you? Maybe we’d be a better people if we were scared more.

Then Felix brings up time. He says, “When I find the time, I will call you.” He was mistaken. We never find time. Have you ever gotten up in the morning and found a couple of hours sitting on the kitchen counter? Never. We make time. We squeeze things in for time. We never find time.

The KJV uses the expression, “more convenient time.” Christianity isn’t “convenient.” It demands of our heart, time and energy. It’s not convenient, not at all. There are convenient stores. Some places will open up more check out lines when crowded to be convenient. There are machines that make things more convenient for us. But there is no convenience with Christ. He demands to be first in your life. He won’t settle for second. Not at all. His way must be the way. He demands to be Lord of your life. He’s not just a divine option. His way or nothing. We need to get this.

The “Felix” of our times are looking for a convenient faith and a convenient church. They want something easy and nice. They want something comfortable and satisfying. A nice church building. A nice audience. A nice message. And a nice commitment. Nothing over the top. Nothing too heavy. Nothing that is going to make a person make a lot of changes. Nice. Convenient.

Remember, that Old Rugged Cross wasn’t very nice nor convenient. It wasn’t sanded smooth. It wasn’t polished with a nice finish. It was rough hewn lumber that would put many splinters into our hand if we rubbed across it. There wasn’t anything pretty or nice about the cross. He went there for us. Remember that.

Convenient time…convenient faith…convenient church…or righteousness, self-control and coming judgment. A faith that makes demands. A faith that makes some frightened.

Don’t settle for what is easy, nice or convenient. Settle with God.

Roger