Christianity: The Thinking Man's Faith

CHRISTIANITY: THE THINKING MAN’S FAITH

“And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you." Acts 24:24-25 (NKJV)

Webster defines “reason” as “think; to think logically”. As we consider the message of Christ, wise indeed we are if “we think on these things.”

WE NEED TO CALL THE UNBELIEVER TO REASON...TO THINK.

Consider God’s great invitation: “Come now, and let us reason together, says the Lord. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

CONSIDER PAUL’S REASONING WITH FELIX.

Paul reasoned with the Roman ruler to give thought to three things: righteousness; self-control; and the judgment to come.

RIGHTEOUSNESS:

“But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:4-7.

SELF-CONTROL:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25.

THE JUDGMENT TO COME:

“But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who will render to each one according to his deeds." Romans 2:5-6.

FELIX’S TRAGIC RESPONSE TO PAUL’S MESSAGE

“Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, "Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you." Acts 24:25.

Tragically, many unbelievers never find “a convenient time” to give logical thought to their need of salvation.