Acts of the Apostles: Don’t Put Off Til Tomorrow, What You Can Do Today

​Introduction
Do you ever feel that quiet nudge in your heart when there is something you know you need to say or do, a step you need to take, a relationship that needs healing, or a habit that needs surrendering? But instead of acting, you hesitate. You tell yourself it’s not the right time. I’m just too busy, or I can’t deal with this now, or your emotions are too raw. Maybe I’ll deal with it later, when things settle down a bit. And so, you put it off. However, the truth is that the longer you delay what God has clearly placed before you, the harder it becomes to respond. What begins as hesitation can quickly turn into avoidance. And what you may call “waiting for the right time” may simply be disobedience cloaked in delay. There is a spiritual cost to postponing what God is calling you to do today.

Today we will be looking at a moment in the ministry and mission of Paul where this was the case as he spoke with a man of prominence.  We have been following the journeys of Paul in Acts and the road to Paul’s moment before Governor Felix was neither short nor safe. After being seized by an angry mob at the temple in Jerusalem, Paul found himself entangled in a storm of violence and political complexity. The Roman authorities, unsure of what to do with him, initially protected him from the mob simply because he was a Roman citizen. But they quickly realized they had a problem on their hands; Paul wasn’t just another troublemaker. He was a powerful voice for a movement that was shaking up both Jewish tradition and Roman order.

Background Acts 24:1 - 21

Once in Caesarea, Paul was placed under the authority of Governor Felix. The Jewish leaders, determined to press charges, arrived with a polished lawyer named Tertullus to present their case. They accused Paul of inciting riots and being the ringleader of the Nazarene sect. But Paul, calm and composed, offered his own defense—he denied the false charges and boldly proclaimed his faith in the resurrection of the dead, a doctrine which divided his accusers and exposed the real issue at hand: Paul’s loyalty to Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of the Law and the prophets.

Felix listened, and being somewhat familiar with “the Way,” he postponed a decision. He placed Paul under house arrest, allowing him some liberty but not freedom. It is in this context that we enter the scene in our passage today, where Felix and his wife Drusilla privately summon Paul and hear the gospel directly from the apostle’s mouth. What unfolds is a deeply tragic moment, a man confronted with truth, convicted by the Spirit, and yet unwilling to surrender. It’s a warning to all of us about the spiritual dangers of delay.

Acts 24:22 - 27

Conviction Can Be Crushed by Delay
When Paul spoke to Felix and Drusilla, he didn’t try to play politics or win favor with flattery. He didn’t soften the edges of the gospel or shy away from the hard topics. Instead, Paul did what he always did: he preached the truth. Scripture tells us that he “reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.” That’s not a light-hearted devotional or discussion. That’s a conversation and message that cuts to the heart.

And it worked.

Felix was visibly shaken. Luke tells us that he “became afraid.” In that moment, conviction had taken hold. The Spirit of God was doing what only the Spirit can do, penetrating the mind and stirring the conscience. The Word of God was exposing Felix’s sin and calling him to repentance.

But what did Felix do?

He looked at Paul and said, “Go away for now. When I find it convenient, I will call for you again.”

And with that one statement, the moment was lost.
This is the heartbreaking reality of spiritual delay. When we are convicted by the Spirit and choose not to respond, we begin to silence the voice of God in our hearts. Conviction is a gift; it’s an invitation to step into freedom. But it comes with a window. If we delay too long, if we push it aside again and again, that window begins to close.

Conviction delayed often becomes conviction diminished. And eventually, conviction dies altogether.

Felix felt the weight of truth. He was close to the kingdom. But he chose comfort over surrender. He postponed repentance. He said, “Not now.” And the tragedy is, Scripture never records that “more convenient time” with him saying “Yes” later.

Curiosity Is Not the Same as Conversion
One of the more surprising things about Felix is that he wasn’t ignorant of the gospel. Luke tells us in verse 22 that Felix “was quite familiar with the Way.” He had heard about Jesus. He knew about the Christian movement. He wasn’t a stranger to the claims of the gospel. In fact, he likely had heard the testimonies of many believers in his courtroom.

Moreover, he was married to Drusilla, a Jewish woman. Drusilla was the daughter of Herod Agrippa I, and it is safe to assume that she grew up surrounded by religious discussions, temple rituals, and the stories of Israel’s God. She knew the Law. She knew the prophets. She understood the expectations of righteousness.

So, when Paul stood before them and spoke of moral responsibility and divine judgment, this wasn’t foreign territory.

And yet, familiarity didn’t produce faith.

Curiosity didn’t lead to commitment.

This is a warning. It is possible to be interested in spiritual things, even well-informed about Scripture, and still be lost. We can learn the language of faith, sit through countless sermons, study theology, and discuss profound truths, yet still not have a relationship with Jesus that leads to salvation.

Felix listened to Paul, not once, but many times. Luke says he “used to send for him often and converse with him.” But each time, it was on his terms. He wanted access to the truth without yielding to it. He wanted spiritual conversation without spiritual confrontation.

There’s a danger in becoming too comfortable around sacred things. We can grow numb to the Word. We can become professional spectators of truth rather than participants in grace. Felix shows us that knowledge alone cannot save us. What matters is what we do with the truth we receive.

Opportunities Are Not Guaranteed
Felix’s statement, “When it is more convenient…” may be one of the saddest phrases in the book of Acts. It reveals a man who wanted to be in control of his own spiritual timeline. He assumed he could respond to God when it worked for him.
But that’s not how grace works.

Spiritual opportunities are not ours to schedule. We don’t come to God when we feel like it. We come when He calls us.

Felix had Paul, a chosen apostle, filled with the Spirit, standing before him, proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. He had truth, clarity, and conviction. But instead of bowing his heart, he waited.

And as far as we know, the moment never came again.
He kept Paul in custody for two more years. He called for him often. He hoped for a bribe. But his soul grew colder with every visit.

Eventually, Felix was recalled to Rome. He left Paul in prison as a political favor to the Jews, trying to curry favor with men instead of making peace with God.
What a loss.

We must never presume upon God’s mercy. The time to respond is always now. As Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “For God says, ‘At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.’ Indeed, the ‘right time’ is now. Today is the day of salvation.”

Tomorrow is never promised. Conviction is not permanent. Hearts do not stay soft forever.
When God opens the door, walk through it. When He speaks, listen. When He convicts, respond.

The Gospel Doesn’t Fit Our Schedule
At the heart of this passage is a conflict between two agendas: God’s and Felix’s.

Felix wanted control. He wanted the truth to fit within the margins of his political and personal convenience. He wanted a message that wouldn’t disrupt his lifestyle or challenge his authority. But the gospel refuses to be managed.

Paul spoke about righteousness, God’s standard, not ours.

He spoke about self-control, the Spirit-empowered discipline that confronts our selfish desires.
He spoke about judgment, the reality of a holy God who will one day hold every person accountable.

This wasn’t a comfortable truth. It was a convicting truth. And it still is.

The gospel is not designed to accommodate our comfort. It’s designed to confront our sin, to call us to repentance, to crucify the old self and raise us to new life in Christ.

Felix trembled when he heard that message. But he didn’t surrender.
That’s what makes this story so tragic—and so urgent.

Don’t Let “Later” Steal What God Wants to Do Today
Felix had every advantage, access to truth, proximity to Paul, knowledge of the Way, and a front-row seat to the gospel. And yet, he walked away empty-handed because he chose delay over decision
 
Application: Responding While the Window Is Open
This passage doesn’t just tell us about Felix; it speaks to our hearts today. Let’s take these truths to heart and pray about them. Here are three ways that we can apply what God may be saying to us today:

1. Be Sensitive and Respond Promptly to the Call of the Holy Spirit
   When the Holy Spirit speaks or convicts, whether it's about sin, a step of obedience, or a call to surrender, it’s imperative to act while our hearts are still tender and receptive. Delayed response or no response to the Holy Spirit often becomes disobedience. If God is stirring something in you today, don’t file it away for a more “convenient” time. Respond now. His timing is always perfect, and delayed responses may cost us a moment of grace that we may not get back.
2. Pursue Transformation, Not Just Information
   Felix was fascinated by Paul’s message, and he was even familiar with “the Way.” But knowledge didn’t equal change. It’s possible to be around the things of God, to study Scripture, and even to feel conviction, yet never be transformed. It is very easy to read books, attend studies and classes, and fill your time learning new doctrines and deeper theology, and still not have a transforming relationship with Jesus. Don’t let your relationship with Jesus stop at your head; let it change your heart. Move from curiosity to commitment. God isn’t calling you only to be informed; He’s calling you to be conformed to the image of His Son. 
3. Live Each Day in Light of Eternity
   Paul spoke of righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come. Those aren’t just doctrines, they’re truths that should shape the way we live. Are you living with eternity in view? Are your decisions guided by what pleases God, not just what pleases people? The day of judgment is real. Let this truth give urgency to your faith, depth to your character, and purpose to your daily life. Don’t gamble with your soul. Make the most of the spiritual opportunities God gives you, because they won’t last forever.

Conclusion
May you be a person who recognizes God’s voice when He speaks and responds when He calls, and not when it’s convenient. The truth is, God rarely waits for our lives to settle before inviting us to follow Him. He often speaks into the chaos and our uncertainty, calling us to trust despite those things.

The risk of waiting for a “better time” is that it often never comes. And one day, time runs out, and not just for that opportunity.

Eternity is a reality that lies ahead of every one of us. We will either walk into it with Christ or without Him. God is not looking for partial interest or spiritual hesitation; He seeks surrendered hearts. Hearts that say, “Here I am, Lord,” even when the timing feels inconvenient or the cost feels great.

So don’t put off what God is asking of you today. Don’t wait for a moment that may never arrive. Whatever He’s stirring in you, respond. Obey. Surrender.
Because the right time is now.

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