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PAUL’S DISCOURSE BEFORE FELIX
MEN usually persist in sin without duly reflecting on its consequences. Hence the peace which they enjoy, notwithstanding they are exposed to the displeasure of the Almighty; yet the voice of warning and reproof will sometimes alarm them. Too often, however, the alarm is only of short duration. This was the case of Felix, when awakened by the preaching of Paul—
I. The subjects of the Apostle’s discourse—
He was sent for to explain the principles he professed, but he was not satisfied with gratifying the curiosity of his hearers; he endeavoured to reach their consciences, and convince them of their sins. On this occasion he spoke of “righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come.”
Hence we observe that,
1. The subjects are essential parts of the Gospel—
[Many confine their ideas of the Gospel to the one subject of justification by “the faith of Christ.” But the Apostle when dilating on “the faith of Christ,” introduced the subjects mentioned in my text. The knowledge of these is in fact necessary to a just comprehension of that. We must see our desert and danger as transgressors of the law, before we can ever duly appreciate the Gospel.]
2. They are of deep and vital interest to every child of man—
[Doubtless they were of peculiar importance to such abandoned characters as Felix and Drusilla [Note: Felix had induced Drusilla to forsake her own husband, and to marry him: he was moreover remarkably avaricious and oppressive.]: but they are necessary to be impressed on us also. Under the term “righteousness” we must comprehend all the duties which we owe to our neighbour; and under that of “temperance,” all that relates to the government of our own appetites and passions. Though we be not guilty of adultery, and avarice, and oppression in their grosser forms, we may find much under these heads for humiliation before God. At the day of judgment we must answer for every secret violation of God’s holy law. The prospect of that awful account may well endear to us the Gospel of Christ.]
3. They commend themselves to our reason no less than to our faith—
[St. Paul “reasoned” with his Royal auditors on these subjects. To bring home to the heart of a heathen the salvation of Christ, much previous knowledge was requisite; but to bring him to a sense of his guilt and danger, nothing was necessary but an immediate appeal to his reason and conscience; and, when addressing persons who are ignorant of revelation, we shall do well to adopt the Apostle’s plan.]
What degree of success attended his efforts will appear from,
II. The effects it produced—
On Drusilla’s mind it seems to have produced no effect—
[She, as a Jewess, must have often heard these subjects treated; but, having sinned against light and knowledge, she was unaffected by all she heard: and thus are many hardened even by the Gospel itself.]
But Felix “trembled”—
[A curious and uncommon sight! The judge “trembling” at the reasonings of his prisoner! But well might he tremble at the review of his past life and at the prospect of a future retribution. And who has not reason to tremble, if he have not fled to Christ for refuge and found acceptance with God through him? Take the holy law of God, my brethren, and try yourselves by it. Surely there will not be one who will not cry out, as Felix should have done, “What shall I do to be saved?”]
He forbore however to improve the occasion as he ought—
[He promised himself a more convenient season for attending to the concerns of his soul. But what season could be more suitable, than when the Spirit of God was striving with him, and his conscience was awake, and an inspired instructor was at hand to lead him to a Saviour? Could he have better hopes of success, when he had seared his conscience, quenched the Spirit, confirmed his evil habits, and delivered himself up to the chains of Satan? The hoped-for day, alas! never arrived. He still for two years longer continued his avaricious and oppressive habits [Note: ver. 26, 27.]. O that he had known the day of his visitation, and improved his day of grace!]
Let his example serve as a caution to us—
[All of us have known, in some measure, the motions of God’s Spirit. All of us have felt, at times, some general apprehensions respecting the account which we must give at the day of judgment. But how many have silenced their convictions, in hopes of finding some more convenient season for attending to them! And how many have died before the hoped-for opportunity arrived! Let us beware of this device of Satan, whereby he upholds his kingdom in the world [Note: He does not tempt any to resolve that they will never repent: but takes the more plausible method of insinuating that they will have a more convenient season for repenting.]. Let us remember, that the same temptations will recur, and the same motives influence us at future periods. Let us attend to that salutary advice of the Apostle [Note: Heb_3:13; Heb_3:15.]—and let us seek, without delay, that godly sorrow which worketh repentance unto salvation [Note: 2Co_7:10.].]