Daily Devotional Friday 19th June 2020
by William MoodyActs 24:19–27
19 they ought to be here before you and to make an accusation, should they have anything against me. 20 Or else let these men themselves say what wrongdoing they found when I stood before the council, 21 other than this one thing that I cried out while standing among them: ‘It is with respect to the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial before you this day.’”
Paul Kept in Custody
22 But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.
24 After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. 25 And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.” 26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul. So he sent for him often and conversed with him. 27 When two years had elapsed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus. And desiring to do the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.
(ESV)
As Paul continues his defence before the governor Felix, he has such confidence in his own conduct, that he asks for them to prove that what he did was wrong (v19). We need to like Paul, live such blameless lives that if anyone points the finger, we know we have been innocent before God.
Paul returns to discuss his belief in the resurrection, which he previously raised to highlight the differences between the Pharisees and Sadducees (see 23 v6-9). Paul’s belief in the resurrection went further than the Pharisees, in that as well as the resurrection at the end of the age, he believed in the resurrection of Jesus, which was the cornerstone of his faith. Christianity stands or falls on the resurrection of Jesus.
Two days later Felix listened again to Paul but his message about ‘righteousness, self-control and the judgement to come’ (v25) was too uncomfortable for Felix and he stopped the meeting.
Christianity is not a constant feel good religion. The Bible will regularly expose areas of our lives which are not right before God.
For two years Felix listened to Paul (v26-27), but he was not willing for God’s truth to change his life. Are you open to God’s Word changing you? Pray to God about your willingness for God to impact your life.
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