David Bahn – Reflections

Acts 24:22-27

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.

The fullness of that faith is expressed in a life of faithfulness. Paul is living that life and Felix is being challenged by it.

Felix appears to be a decent man. Even though he secretly hopes for a bribe (v. 26), he is not willing to let Paul’s accusers have their way at Paul’s expense. He knows enough to keep Paul in custody, but still allows him to have some liberty. He is willing to listen to Paul, and is even shaken by the challenging message of Paul about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment.

We too often – and the world helps with this idea – relegate faith to embracing a series of philosophical truths and theological doctrines. We know them and believe them to be true. It is on that basis that the world challenges us with the faulty conclusion that people are saved just because they name God correctly or have the right religion. But faith in Christ compels us to act. Faith is manifest in a life of faithfulness.

Faith is a relationship of fear, love, and trust, centered in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Felix had the fear part down. He was intrigued, apparently, by the message of Christ and Paul’s preaching. But fear consumed him and prevented him from embracing Christ – at least as far as we can tell.

While we cannot look into the heart of Felix, we can examine our own hearts in regard to the fullness of faith in our lives. Do we fear, love, and trust in God above all things? Do we love God, love our neighbor, and seek his kingdom? Do we embrace righteousness, self-control, and look to the coming judgment? If we are simply checking-off our understanding or assent to these truths, we are not expressing the fullness of faith. We will never do these things perfectly; that’s why we have a Savior. That’s why faith alone saves us, for faith receives the perfect righteousness of Jesus. Such faith, however, will move us to fear, love, and trust in God above all things.