And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. 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.” Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound. (Acts 24:24-27 NKJV)
The message Paul spoke to Felix is a message needed today. Paul discussed three things with Felix.
The first thing Paul reasoned about was righteousness. Psalm 119:172 says, “My tongue will speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.” So, righteousness means doing what is right as God’s word says. Those who do right according to God’s Word and who are righteous are accepted by God. “But in every nation he that feareth him and worketh righteousness is accepted with him (Acts 10:25). In preaching righteousness and keeping the commandments of God, Paul must have preached repentance and baptism, too (Mark 16:16; Acts 22:16).
The second thing Paul reasoned about was temperance. Temperance means self-control, having one’s life in control. A Christian must be temperate in all things. “And every man shall strive for the mastery of temperance in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.” Exercising self-control or temperance is a fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” Self-control is absolutely necessary for entrance into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 5:5-11).
The third thing that Paul reasoned about was “the judgment to come.” “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished” (2 Peter 2:9). Two things are sure in this life—death and judgment (Hebrews 9:27). In view of the coming judgment, we persuade men to become Christians. “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things that he hath done, whether good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and trust also are made manifest in your consciences” (2 Corinthians 5:9-10).
When Felix heard Paul’s message, he was touched, but he delayed his obedience. Felix was moved with fear, but he did not obey. Felix waited for a convenient time that we have no record of it ever coming. God’s commands are the same today as in Felix’s day—one must believe, repent, confess and be baptized to be saved. The Bible warns, “Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” (Hebrews 3:7-8). “Now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:12).
