“When Time Permits”

“When Time Permits” by Dr. D. James Kennedy

“After several days, when Felix arrived…he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ…Felix was afraid and answered, ‘For now, leave! When time permits, I will send for you.’” Acts 24:24-25

How true it is that has been said, “Of all the sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these: "It might have been.” We all know that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. But why? Because of procrastination. Procrastination is what keeps good intentions from materializing into good works.

If procrastination is harmful in the exercise of our responsibilities of this life, it is most deadly and fatal when it comes to our eternal salvation. We see a spiritual procrastinator in the example of Felix, a Roman leader.

Now Felix was a despicable character, far lower than the average Roman governor. He was indeed, the Roman historian Tacitus tells us, “a man of lust and cruelty;” who “exercised the office of a king with the spirit of a slave.”

In Acts 24, this man, who did not hesitate to get involved in the most immoral kinds of activities, was now listening to Paul preach. As he talked about these things, Felix began to tremble because his sins were crying out against him and his conscience was calling for relief. At this point, he should have repented, but he was a procrastinator who perhaps was reluctant to give up the 'pleasure' of his sins. 

So he said, “For now, leave! When time permits, I will send for you” (Acts 24:25). 

He would take care of it another day. To our knowledge he never did. How tragic.

He provides a great example of what not to do.

Heavenly Father, forgive us for our spiritual procrastination. Give us strength for today to share the Gospel with those You have put in our path. Help us not to be like Felix or anyone else who would postpone such important news.

BY GOD’S STRENGTH, WE WILL HEED HIS VOICE TODAY.