The Spirit's Conviction
When we hear the truth
and experience conviction
because of our sins, we should respond
in faith and repentance.
Here's Gene:
It's interesting that the Bible gives us
positive examples of people
who hear the truth.
They experience conviction of their sins.
And because of that they repent.
The Bible is filled with stories like that.
But there are also some negative examples.
And here in this biblical story
in the book of Acts, Felix the governor--
he heard the truth.
He experienced conviction.
But he rejected the truth.
And so you have a negative example
really in terms of this particular Principle.
So let's take a look at what happened here.
Felix's Mixed Motives--
this is what I give as a title to this passage:
Several days later, when Felix came
with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish,
he sent for Paul and listened to him
on the subject of faith in Christ Jesus. ...
Now the fact of the matter is that
Felix actually knew a lot about Jesus Christ.
He was very well informed about "the Way."
We read that in verse 22.
"The Way" meaning the way of Jesus Christ.
So this was not the first time he heard this.
Luke records:
...Now as he spoke about
righteousness, self-control,
and the judgment to come,
Felix became afraid and replied,
"Leave for now, but when I have
an opportunity I'll call for you." ...
Now the reason this happened.
The reason he was afraid,
was Paul was really, I think, addressing
some of his own sins.
Because you see, it was a very common--
it was common knowledge
that Felix had seduced the woman
that he was married to.
He had seduced her away
from her rightful husband.
And she became his third wife.
And so he was listening to Paul
explain God's will.
He got very uncomfortable.
And I believe under conviction
of the Holy Spirit.
So he changed the subject.
He got away from the situation.
And so he felt a reality there
that was taught by Paul
that judgment will come
to those of us who
do not acknowledge our sins
and receive the Savior.
And that's why he became afraid.
And said, leave for now.
Well we read on:
...At the same time he was also hoping
that Paul would offer him money.
So he sent for him quite often
and conversed with him.
So you see his mixed motives.
He's fearful because of his own
morality or immorality.
But he also has mixed motives.
He's a materialist.
And he evidently heard that Paul came
to Jerusalem with a lot of money.
And he did.
We don't know what the amount was
but he collected from the churches.
Why did he bring it?
He brought it for his own people
who were believers who were suffering.
And who needed help.
And so consequently, Felix evidently
assumed that Paul was rich.
And so if he kept going at him,
he would pay him
under the table, as it were.
And by that way get his freedom.
So you see, he's dealing with a guy here
that hears the Word, hears the truth.
But he is not responding to this situation--
positively, in confession and repentance,
and in faith in Jesus Christ.
Well in spite of this persecution.
In spite of this manipulation, this control.
Paul saw this as an opportunity.
An opportunity to carry out
God's calling in his life.
And we can be sure that he
remembered years ago,
what the Lord revealed to Ananias
who was afraid of him after he
experienced conversion on the
road to Damascus.
And Ananias--the Spirit of God told him
to meet this man Saul.
He was still called Saul.
Because he's My chosen vessel.
And this is what the Lord said to Ananias.
In Acts 9:15-16, going way back
now to Paul's conversion:
But the Lord said to him, [that is Ananias]
"Go, for this man is my
chosen instrument to take my name
to Gentiles, kings, and Israelites.
I will show him how much
he must suffer for my name."
And you can be sure that Paul,
in the midst of this crisis here, arrested,
standing before Felix, sharing,
defending himself,
remembered those words.
And realized that he was fulfilling what
God said was the will of God for his life.
So this leads us to a Reflection and Response
question that I think really relates to all of us:
Why is it easy for both Christians
and non-Christians to ignore the
convicting ministry of the Holy Spirit?
See, this Principle has to do
with rejecting the truth.
And I think very quickly we can say:
Well it's so easy for all of us,
even as Christians to rationalize sin.
That's just our natural tendency.
And not to allow the truth
to penetrate our souls.
To hear it and reject it.
Another reason that I think that it's tough:
It's easy to choose the pleasures of sin
rather than to suffer with the people of God.
Remember the testimony about Moses?
When he made his choice.
When he was the son of Pharaoh's daughter.
And probably in line to become
the king of Egypt.
Once he found out that he had Jewish heritage.
Once he found out that God
was going to use him.
It says he made a choice.
Rather than following the pleasures of sin.
All the pleasures of sin that he had in Egypt.
He chose to suffer with the people of God.
So you have an incredible illustration
there in the life of Moses
making that decision.
But it was not an easy decision.
And we all face that.
I think another area is simply pride.
Because in Felix' case,
what if he had confessed his sin?
As a Roman governor.
What if he had repented?
What if he had received Jesus Christ
as the Messiah?
Imagine the price that He would
have had to pay
in terms of his position.
Because that would immediately
[have] gotten back to the Roman emperor.
Immediately he could have lost his own life.
Or at least be dethroned
from his position as governor.
Or put in prison.
So there were some other factors, you see,
that were probably at work
in this man's life.
And one was pride
and fear of what it really means
to be a true follower of Jesus Christ.
So let's remember this Principle to Live By,
which I think applies to all of us:
When we hear the truth
and experience conviction
because of our sins, we should
respond in faith and repentance.