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Holy Lives

“Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, "That's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” Acts 24:24, 25

Remember, Felix was the governor and Paul was the prisoner; yet it was Felix who was afraid. Perhaps it was the subject of the discourse that frightened Felix: “righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come.”

Over in the Gospel of John, Jesus spoke of the coming of the Holy Spirit.

“When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment:” John 16:8 (NIV)

It is easy to come to three conclusions: 1) Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit; 2) Fear is one of the evidences of conviction and guilt; and 3) The Holy Spirit will convict the world through the speaking and living of His own people.

Here are a few questions: 1) Are the people that we know, who are in the world, afraid? 2) If the answer is “no,” is it because we are not speaking of righteousness, self-control and judgment to come? Or 3) Is it because we are not living righteously?


(An excerpt from On Being a Christian by Jim Wilson, p.17)

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