Acts 24: 25 As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.”
They have taken Paul to Felix b/c he makes the Sanhedrin so uncomfortable. He has stirred up the differences between the Pharisees and Sadducees by talking about life after death. They want him killed. Being a Roman citizen, that presents a problem for the authorities. Felix is content to keep Paul in prison, sending for him occasionally in the hopes that he may get a bribe. He just avoids confrontation by shutting Paul up, literally and figuratively.
I know someone who reminds me of Felix. He likes to think about Christianity, although he doesn't accept it. He enjoys finding historical evidence of the events of the Bible. If the talk becomes personal, he shuts it down. He is interested in faith, but he doesn't have any. He believes that faith is weakness; he personally doesn't need any, thank you. It makes it hard to communicate with someone who thinks you are a quaintly misguided fool.
Prayer: I pray for those without faith. I praise God for all that my faith does for me, and I am sad that people reject the gift of faith so freely given for them. I request of you, O Lord, that those people are guided to find a softened section of their hearts to let You in.
Amen
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