As he (Paul) reasoned about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, Go away for now; when I have a convenient time, I will call for you.
Acts 24:25.
Most of us know this problem. We have an unpleasant task to accomplish, and we hesitate. Or a decision with far-reaching consequences is expected of us, and we cannot decide.
A schoolboy fails to do his homework, because he doesn’t like the subject. A housewife puts off ironing the washing, because it is boring work. We don’t make a necessary visit to the dentist’s because we are afraid. Hoping that things will right themselves may occasionally prove true in the fluctuating circumstances of earthly life, but when it is a question of God and eternity, procrastination is bound to fail.
The apostle Paul was speaking to the Roman governor Felix “about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come”. That had terrified that man; he felt guilty about these matters. He should have confessed his wrongs to God there and then to obtain forgiveness. But he couldn’t decide to. Was it really through lack of time?
We are all guilty before God. If we wish to flee the judgment to come, we must turn to God and confess the guilt of our lives. We need not be ashamed to do so. God knows us in and out. Only when someone turns to God sincerely does he receive forgiveness, because Jesus Christ once died for his guilt on the cross.
“Behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).