Acts 24:27. “But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.” WILLING TO SHOW THE JEWS A PLEASURE. To try to please people is nothing new; it happened since the beginning of man. To make people feel good has been a priority with many folks. Some would rather lie than see the disapproving expression cross the face of a person. It makes us uncomfortable to see others’ frowns, we would rather see their smile, even if it an insincere one. So, whether a thing is good or bad, we naturally please if we can. The problem with this is that it is a form of deception.
A governor like Felix, was given the office to basically keep the peace for the Roman government. He had to be courteous to Paul because he was a Roman. Yet he was aware of the type of people the Jewish leaders were. They accused Paul of being a troublemaker saying that he was causing riots among the Jews all over the world. Their second accusation was he was a ringleader of an unrecognized religious sect, which was against Roman law. Thirdly, Tertullus accused Paul of trying to desecrate the temple. Their hope was that Paul would be executed because of these accusations.
These charges were too vague to be substantial and Paul refuted each of them point by point. At the same time, he was able to present the Gospel message through his defense. The general accusations made against him were without any specific evidence. Felix had been governor for about six years so he was well acquainted with “The Way,” which would have been a topic of conversation among Roman leaders. Christians were already well known as peaceful people. Felix should have released Paul if he was willing to do what was right. He did what so many others do when they are confronted with righteousness and truth – he deferred making a decision.
Paul’s ability to present the faith in Christ in such a way promoted an interest in Felix and his wife. But when the subjects of righteousness, temperance and judgment to come arose, he did not want to face the personal side of the message and turned away. The Gospel message is about the power to change lives and destinies and is not effective until it moves from principles and doctrines to a life-changing dynamic. When people turn away from our witness, it is evidence that the Gospel has been made personal to them.
Felix lost his job as governor and he lost the money in bribes he hoped Paul would give him. He lost his integrity by the choices he made. He lost the opportunity of accepting the Lord Jesus Christ. He probably lost his soul. The only thing that characterized the summation of his life was – he was willing to show the Jews a pleasure.
“I am reminded, O Righteous Father, of those who have turned away from the message of the Gospel because of friends they have. There are others also, who think they would not be effective in their job if they had to live and work with integrity and to please Thee. Give them another opportunity to make a conscious decision to come and hear the Gospel again. I am afraid for them that they will be like Felix; “willing to show the Jews (friends, workmates) a pleasure” and leave the Lord Jesus entirely outside of all their thoughts and life. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”