As we continue in our study through the book of Acts, we come to the story of Paul before Felix at Caesarea. The high priest, Ananias, with the elders and a spokesman lay before the governor their case against Paul. Paul then cheerfully makes his defense. Felix adjourns the hearings until Lysias can come to Caesarea for a decision to be made. As Paul is kept in custody, he has a conversation with Felix and his wife, Drusilla, about faith in Jesus. As Paul reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgement, Felix was alarmed and afraid.
While these topics alarm the Roman Governor, and these concepts are often dismissed and taken offense to today, righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgement are sweet realities with faith in Jesus. Justification, or being declared righteous in God's sight is by faith in Jesus. Self-control is a gift of faith, cultivated by a growing faith in Jesus. Faith in Jesus brings a confident expectation and joyful anticipation of coming judgment. When Jesus returns, all wrongs will be righted, and all that has been affected and infected by sin and self-centeredness will be dealt with.
