contradiction and call

Good morning friends,
Today we learn that Paul's speech isn't the first time Governor Felix has heard about Christianity. Felix sends him away but calls him back from time to time. Luke tells us that Felix hoped Paul would bribe him. He also says that when Paul talked about faith and Jesus and the coming judgment, Felix was afraid. It's interesting that Felix was afraid and wanted to send Paul away, and he wanted to talk to him at different times and get money from him.

We can probably relate to Felix here a little bit. We want to hear more about Jesus and we find that story compelling. At the same time, the gospel frightens us sometimes, maybe because we worry about measuring up to our calling or because God's love is overwhelming. Often too, there's part of us that wants to get something out of our faith: good feelings about ourselves, security, fellowship. It's OK to have these conflicting feelings about faith in Christ; in some ways being human means living in contradiction. Our goal is not to banish contradiction or to obsess about pure motives, but to seek to hear Christ's call in the midst of all those complications and to open ourselves to the transformation that the gospel offers.

Blessings,
Sam

Acts 24:22-27

22But Felix, who was rather well informed about the Way, adjourned the hearing with the comment, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23Then he ordered the centurion to keep him in custody, but to let him have some liberty and not to prevent any of his friends from taking care of his needs.

24Some days later when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ Jesus. 25And as he discussed justice, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became frightened and said, “Go away for the present; when I have an opportunity, I will send for you.” 26At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, and for that reason he used to send for him very often and converse with him. 27After two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus; and since he wanted to grant the Jews a favor, Felix left Paul in prison.