The dispute between Paul and the Jewish leaders continues, this time is before Felix the governor. Ananias the high priest along with some of the Jewish elders came seeking to procure Paul for the purpose of disposing of him in order to put a stop to the sect they called The Way. However, Felix did not allow the manipulation of these Jewish leaders to cause him to release Paul from prison. While we would like to think that Felix's motive was pure, he had an ulterior motive. From time-to-time Felix would call for Paul and he would take this time to share the gospel with Felix. Scripture tells us, "As he spoke about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix became afraid and replied, 'Leave for now, but when I find time I'll call for you.'"
Unfortunately, this is the reply we often see in the church,"When I find time." The truth is we find time for everything we want but rarely make time for God. I recently read where the average person reads the Bible roughly 3 minutes a day compared to watching television for an average of 5 1/2 to 6 hours per day. There is no doubt that the statement Chuck Colson made regarding the church is true. Colson is quoted as saying, "The average church is 3,000 miles wide and one inch deep." At what point is the church going to realize that Christianity is not about what I want but about what God wants me to do and give. We have become a self-serving and self-promoting social club which doesn't care that people are dying and going to a sinner's hell every second. I shutter to think what God would say if He were to write a new set of letters to the churches of America. I believe the first thing He would say is what Alexander the Great told a young soldier he caught napping on duty who also was named Alexander. He said, "Son either change your name or change your ways!"
Lesson We Learned: We must grow deeper in order to grow up!
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