Convenient

June 10th, 2026
by Gary Cheaney

Go Away for Now — I’ll Call You When It’s More Convenient

SCRIPTURE:
Acts 24:24-25 NLT - A few days later Felix came back with his wife, Drusilla, who was Jewish. Sending for Paul, they listened as he told them about faith in Christ Jesus. As he reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment, Felix became frightened. "Go away for now," he replied. "When it is more convenient, I'll call for you again."

OBSERVATION:
To better understand what Paul shares with Felix and Drusilla, we need to know who they are and where they come from.

Antonius Felix started life as a slave. His brother Pallas was a friend of Emperor Claudius; with this influence, he rose in rank, first as a former slave who had gained his freedom, and then, through intrigue, he became the first ex-slave to serve as a governor of a Roman province. – David Guzik

Tacitus, the Roman historian, described Felix as “a master of cruelty and lust who exercised the powers of a king with the spirit of a slave” (Historiae 5.9, cited in Longnecker). – Tacitus.

The picture drawn by Tacitus of Felix’s public and private life is not a pretty one… he indulged in every license and excess, thinking “that he could do any evil act with impunity” (Tacitus, Annals 12.54). – David J. Williams.

Drusilla was the sister of Herod Agrippa II, and Bernice is mentioned in Acts 25. Drusilla was beautiful, ambitious, and about 20 years old. Felix seduced her away from her husband and made her his third wife. – David Guzik.

Paul, aware of his audience, did not hold back. He spoke the truth with love, filled with the Gospel, and warned that judgment would come. He delivered the “full” Gospel—something we should never shy away from.

John 8:31-32, 34-36 NLT — Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” ... Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.

The lax morals of Felix and Drusilla help to explain the topics on which Paul spoke to them. – John Scott.

If we are unwilling to offer a lifeline to those lost in sin, we do them a great disservice. We cannot share the gospel without addressing sin. A gospel without forgiveness is not Good News. The Good News is that Jesus paid for our sins, enabling us to be forgiven and restored to Him.

APPLICATION:
David Guzik outlines three lessons we can draw from Paul’s conversation with Felix and Drusilla, which serve as a model for sharing the Gospel.

“The righteousness that is ours in Jesus Christ.”
“The need for Christian ethics (self-control) was evidently lacking in the lives of both Felix and Drusilla.”
“Eternal accountability before God (the judgment to come).”

While it's true that darkness doesn't like to be exposed, the power of the Gospel frees people from its grip.

Romans 1:16 NLT — For I am not ashamed of this Good News (Gospel) about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile.

It takes an average of 7.6 times of hearing the Gospel for a non-believer to respond, and one who never knows if, when one shares their faith, if it isn’t the 6.6th time they’ve heard. Sharing one’s faith is fundamentally important because 75-90 percent of new believers come to Christ through a friend or acquaintance who explained the good news on a one-to-one basis.” – Share Jesus Without Fear – William Fay.

The question might be asked, “Wasn’t this the first time Felix and Drusilla heard the Gospel?” The answer is no. They were familiar with the “Way” and even knew the message. The real question should be whether they ever came to believe it.

Don’t wait for the 7.6th time – respond today! Why postpone until tomorrow what you can do today? Tomorrow may never come.

Thou sayest, ‘Another time.’ How knowest thou that thou wilt ever feel again as thou feelest now? This morning, perhaps a voice is saying in thy heart, ‘Prepare to meet thy God.’ Tomorrow, that voice will be hushed. The gaieties of the ballroom and the theatre will put out that voice that warns thee now, and perhaps thou wilt never hear it again. Men all have their warnings, and all men who perish have had a last warning. Perhaps this is your last warning. – Charles Spurgeon.

PRAYER:
Jesus, keep my heart tender to the “full” Gospel—the Good News of forgiveness and redemption, along with the warning of judgment to come. May I remain faithful in sharing and remember how powerful the Good News is from the past. Give me Your heart for the lost and a passion to share it without fear.

Today if you hear His voice, don’t harden your heart.” – Hebrews 4:7

Posted in 06 - Acts