Don’t Put Off Your Most Important Decision

Acts 24:24-25 (ESV) – After some days Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, and he sent for Paul and heard him speak about faith in Christ Jesus. And as he reasoned about righteousness and self-control and the coming judgment, Felix was alarmed and said, “Go away for the present. When I get an opportunity I will summon you.”

 

Often the biggest decisions come with the biggest prices yet promise the biggest rewards. It can be natural to put those decisions off because we fear losing something in the face of a very hopeful, yet uncertain, outcome. Unfortunately, though, those opportunities usually do not last forever. If we hold off deciding too long, we miss our chance.

 

That was the case for the Roman Procurator of Judaea named Claudius Felix. He had been governing the Province of Judaea for several years but had earned a reputation as a cruel and corrupt leader. The First Century Roman historian Tacitus described him as “indulging in every kind of barbarity and, exercising the power of a king with the spirit of a slave.” (Histories V:9) Felix had good reason to be afraid when he heard Paul talk about the coming judgement and the faith in Christ it takes to be ready for it.

 

Felix knew what was at stake. He knew his life was not characterized by righteousness and self-control. He had hurt many people for his own gain and glory. He also understood from the conversations he had with Paul that coming to Christ would mean repentance, that is turning to God and turning away from evil actions and thoughts. Yet, it would mean eternal life and the peace and purpose life with Christ brings to any of us who believe, even today.

 

Felix had a lot to lose. He was already well paid as a Roman procurator, but he was obviously used to getting a lot more through bribery. Verse 26 tells us Felix hoped even Paul would try to bribe him, but that never happened. After two years of indecision, Felix was shipped back to Rome and replaced with the much wiser and fairer Porcius Festus. We have no historical record that Felix ever did believe in Jesus. Putting off the decision of faith may have temporarily alleviated his fearful alarm, but it did not give him eternal life. Both contemporary historians Josephus (Jewish Antiquities XX:8) and Tacitus (Annals XII:54) tell us his earthly reputation and legacy was also stained by his failure to change his evil behavior.

 

What decisions have you been putting off lately? Is there an action you should take before the opportunity passes?