Acts 24:24-25 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul… In this incident we see — I. GOOD CONDUCT INSPIRED BY A GOOD MOTIVE. 1. Felix trembled, which was good as far as it went, and was infinitely better than insensibility, flippancy, infidelity, or obstinacy. It is the first step in a new direction — if the next is taken. 2. Felix trembled under a genuine conviction that Paul was right, and the trembling shows a momentary desire to put himself in the right. II. BAD CONDUCT WITH A GOOD MOTIVE. 1. Felix was animated with a strong desire to release Paul. He liked the man and knew that justice was on his side. What better sign than a desire to be of service to a good man. 2. But Felix sought to compass his desire in a wrong way. Why not say that the case against him had broken down, and that his right to be released must be recognised. But no; Felix's cupidity was stronger than his amiable desires and his sense of justice. He would do good if bribed to do it. The apostle tells us that their condemnation is just who do evil that good may come. III. GOOD CONDUCT WITH A BAD MOTIVE. 1. Felix communed with Paul. If evil communications corrupt good manners, how much must good communications improve them. A man is known by the company he keeps, and to exchange the company of Drusilla for that of Paul — what a hopeful sign. 2. But why did Felix commune with Paul? To get money out of him — the reason why many a wolf puts on sheep's clothing, and why many worldly and wicked men attend Church. IV. BAD CONDUCT FROM A BAD MOTIVE. The true man comes out at last. 1. Bad in conduct. He left Paul bound — in spite of spiritual convictions, sense of justice, communings. 2. Bad in motive. "Willing to show the Jews a pleasure." Conclusion: "Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." The man who begins to try to do so ends by wholesale service of the latter. (J. W. Burn.) Parallel Verses KJV: And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. |
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