TOPIC:“Condemned by Convenience”
by Rev. Dr. Reg Dunlap
TEXT:Acts 24:24-27
“Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season,
I will call for thee” (Acts 24:25)
Have you ever considered the veracity of the statement, “Trifling is tragedy?” That means handling some important event with levity. It is lack of being serious about it. Have you ever stopped to ponder the outcome which comes to those who will not face up to life's urgent and imperative decisions? If you have, then you know something of what James Lowell had in mind when he wrote these words as a poem protesting America's war with Mexico over the territory of Texas:
“Once to every man and nation
comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with falsehood
For the good or evil side.”
Now this choice came one day to Felix. Get the picture. On the throne sat this wicked man Felix - a picture of dishonor, disgrace, and depravity to humanity. Before him stood the Apostle Paul - his arms chained, his body scarred, his health gone - as he presents to Felix the most convenient season of the soul for one to become a Christian.
To be sure, we never lose sight of the fact that time finally ran out on Felix. That is why he is described by Clarence Macartney as “the man who was the victim of tomorrow.”
I.
Consider, at the outset, how this man became CARELESS over those things in life which ought to have demanded his supreme attention. As Paul witnessed to Felix about faith in Christ notice his response in the words of our text: "Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." I have heard that same excuse offered by scores of people down through the years. When I find it convenient I will come to Christ.
Let's get it down: The recklessness of Felix was not so much his being thoughtless in the trivial things of live, but in the critical things that counted so much. He allowed solemn decisions to pass him by without a moments thought as to their importance. Briefly, look at the road he traveled . . .