Acts 24:25

Acts 24:25

I. Felix made two great mistakes. He did not know what constituted a convenient season, and he presumed he might repent and turn to God whenever he pleased. We are all apt to give too much weight whether in help or hindrance to external circumstances. It is a testimony to true religion, that almost every one will say that he hopes and means some day or other to be, if not very religious, yet certainly more religious than he is now. But then, all fancy that by-and-bye they will be in a position which will be more favourable to make a beginning. They will be holier, or their anxieties will be fewer, or their temptations will be less, or their religious advantages will be greater, or their associations in life will be more fitting, so their state of mind will be better prepared. They picture a certain future which wears a sober and almost a religious aspect, and then they call that a convenient season.

II. It is the felt willingness of God to receive us, it is the still small voice consciously heard within, it is the drawings of the secret constraining power which is the operation of the Spirit of God upon the conscience and the affections, these make the convenient season. Where these are everything is sure to be convenient God will make it convenient, how unlikely soever it be. Where these are not, there will be an inconvenience an utter impossibility. All religious procrastination is an insult to the Holy Ghost. The only time to keep a resolution is the moment that it visits you; and he who does not turn to God when he is drawn, increases each time, tremendously, the risk that he will never turn at all.

J. Vaughan, Fifty Sermons,2nd series, p. 166.

Now not By-and-bye.

I. Men lull awakened consciences to sleep, and excuse delay in deciding for Christ by half-honest promises to attend to religion at some future time.

II. Note reasons for this attitude. (1) There is the instinctive natural wish to get rid of a disagreeable subject; (2) many think it will be time enough to think about serious things and be religious when they get older; (3) many let the impressions made on their hearts and consciences be crowded out by cares and enjoyments and pleasures and duties of this world; (4) some do not like to give up something which is inconsistent with God's love and service.

III. Delay is really decision the wrong way. It robs us of large blessings. It is gambling with a very uncertain thing our life and its future opportunities.

A. Maclaren, A Year's Ministry,1st series, p. 165.

References: Acts 24:25. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. iv., No. 171; E. Cooper, Practical Sermons,vol. ii., p. 80; Talmage, Old Wells dug Out,p. 94.Acts 24:27. Preacher's Monthly,vol. ii., p. 249. Acts 25:8. Ibid.,vol. x., p. 57. Acts 25:9. Ibid.,vol. ii., p. 249.