Saturday, February 02, 2013
Poitician Runs Scared
He was a powerful man, known for his brutality. One had to be ruthless and devious in order to survive as a governor allied with the most powerful political leader on the planet. Besides, common knowledge testifies that politics is rarely done with pure motives or clean morals. Felix was a "successful" politician. To his credit, he had been tough on crime, making his region a much safer place to travel. To his discredit, his personal life was marred by adultery and whatever other self-serving things he needed to do to survive. The point being that Felix was not easily shaken; as a politician he was used to confrontation and dog-eat-dog maneuvering.
With this in mind, one is caught off guard at
the scene recounted by a doctor who is privy to a first century legal
proceeding between Felix, governor of Judea and Paul, a Christian missionary, who
had been arrested for politically-incorrect preaching. Governor Felix summoned the prisoner for questioning,
hoping that Paul would give him a bribe, thereby providing him an excuse to let
him go. Felix is no fool; he knows that
Paul is not a dangerous criminal, but that he is the victim of religious bigotry
and censorship. What is so striking
about this situation, however, is that during the course of conversation this
experienced politician became alarmed and terrified. What would scare such a man? Why did he get so rattled?
Here's how Dr. Luke recorded it: "But
as he continued to argue about uprightness, purity of life (the control of the
passions), and the judgment to come, Felix became alarmed and terrified
and said, Go away for the present; when I have a convenient opportunity, I will
send for you." (Acts 24:25 AMP) Felix was scared because, when confronted with
the truth, he recognized that one day he would be held accountable for his
actions. He knew that what he seemed to
be getting away with would catch up to him when he stood before God in
judgment.
Have you ever experienced moments of clarity such as that? Have you ever been confronted with God's
mandates regarding purity and uprightness and realized that your life is impacting
other lives, and that one day you would answer for every word and deed? Those can be key, life-changing moments. Those are the kind of moments God intends us
to have when we hear anointed preaching,
read the Bible or hear a God-inspired song. Unfortunately Felix cut his session short --
he missed his opportunity to make things right.
The Bible says, "it is appointed unto men once to die, but
after this the judgment:" (Hebrews 9:27 KJV) That does not have to be a scary verse. The "Good News" is that those who
accept the forgiveness that Jesus offers can have their sins washed away and
then be given the power to live a life of purity and uprightness. (see Acts 2:38) They won't be perfect, but they will be
covered by God's grace. As a result,
when they die, they will be on good terms with their Creator. In other words,
obedient believers no longer have any need to fear! Meanwhile the upright and pure lives they
lead will give them and those around them a better life here and now. Righteousness and purity can raise the
standard of living at your house and you will have no need to run scared.
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