Acts 24:25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go your way for this time… I. THE LONGER WE DELAY RETURNING TO GOD AND SEEKING HIS MERCY THROUGH THE SAVIOUR, WE MUST INCREASE OUR GUILT AND ADD TO THAT CONDEMNATION WHICH WE HAVE ALREADY INCURRED. II. BY DELAY WE MUST DIMINISH THE BLESSINGS AND INCREASE THE EVILS OF OUR PRESENT CONDITION. III. DELAY MAY PRODUCE SUCH INSENSIBILITY TO SIN AND ITS CONSEQUENCES AS TO RENDER IT IMPROBABLE THAT SINNERS SHOULD AWAKEN TO A SENSE OF THEIR DANGER, REPENT, AND LAY HOLD OF THE HOPE THAT IS SET BEFORE THEM. Far be it from us to fix limits to the mercy of the Most High. He may, without doubt, have mercy on whom He will have mercy, and if it so please Him He may change even in death the heart of the most hardened sinners; yet small reason, surely, have such sinners to expect at such a period so peculiar an interposition; and to delay repentance now, and to rest their salvation on the hope of it, is of all infatuations the greatest and most fearful. Yet even this hope, faint as it is, may not be granted. IV. CONSIDER THE SHORTNESS AND UNCERTAINTY OF HUMAN LIFE. The work is great which is given us to do. The object is higher than all others for which we are to prepare, and it is during our stay on earth alone that this work can be done and this preparation can be made. And is the period of our continuance here so long that it should be wasted in vanity and sin, or that we should shorten by delay the time which is assigned for a purpose so unspeakably important? (S. MacGill, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. |
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