ACTS of the Apostles

September 26

ACTS of the Apostles, Part 2

Learning How to be Daring and Dynamic

Read Acts 24:22-27

Focus Verses: Acts 24:24-25

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.”

In Friday’s post, we read about the case against Paul that is laid out before the governor by the high priest, some elders and a spokesman. Paul defends himself before Felix, who decides to wait for Lysias the tribune to decide his case. Meanwhile, Felix listens to Paul’s message, and is

intrigued. His mind was informed and his heart was moved by fear ,yet he did nothing. He would not obey the truth. Sadly, he did nothing with Paul either and left him in prison.

It’s not enough for us to know the truth or to even have an emotional response to the message. We must repent our sins and trust the One we have placed our faith in. “But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life”(John 5:40). We need an active daily faith . I have read more than once one who has faith is completely convinced Jesus can save and gives their life to Him. When that occurs a new way of life begins and we begin to see “fruit” growing on the vine. Vines with fruit look very different from dead and baron vines. A simple way to look at it is full of life vs. lifeless.

Today’s passage was somewhat sad and depressing yet has a very good lesson and reminder. We are given a choice of how to live our lives. We can hear the Good News and even be moved like Felix was but will it stop there? Do we really believe what we say we believe and does our life reflect that? Remember, we each get to choose: full of life or lifeless.

Heavenly Father,

Sometimes it’s just easy to slip into old ways and live like we are dead on the vine. Father, please keep us alive in YOU. Help us to remember who you are, what you can do and be reminded of this gift of life you have freely given. Teach us how to live and give us the courage to do so. Show us what an active faith looks like. Help us to live our faith daily knowing you are our Savior and we are changed people . Amen