Acts chapter 24 finds Paul before the governor of Judea, an unusual man named Antonius Felix. Felix had been a slave who had gained freedom and later used his brother's friendship with Emperor Claudius to advance politically. He had a reputation for immorality and when Paul met him he was married to his third wife, Drusilla. Drusilla was the great-granddaughter of Herod the Great, who had tried to kill the baby Jesus. She was the great niece of the Herod who killed John the Baptist and her father was the man who had the apostle James put to death. So we find it interesting that when Paul was before Felix he took advantage of the opportunity to share the gospel with these unfriendly personalities. (Verse 25) Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you." Paul was opportunistic about sharing the Lord. He knew from personal experience that a person can be transformed dramatically when they come to faith and though an individual might be very hostile to God on this side of the Cross...that all can change, as it had with him. Unfortunately, Felix didn't allow his fear of judgment drive him to repentance, but we see that the object of Paul's affection and the object of the Lord's love is people just like this immoral governor. Jesus didn't come for people who were already saved...He came for those who are hostile and arrogant and immoral and even full of evil. It is challenging to consider whether we would risk our lives and share our faith with the ones who despise us!
blessings,
Rob Smith
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