Boyce Mouton
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Letters From Grandpa #576

Boyce Mouton · 2 pages · 864 words

  • LETTERS FROM GRANDPA
  • 576

Dearest grandchild,

Today’s letter will be about the Roman Governor of Judea named Felix. His name comes from the Latin word that means “happy, lucky, or blessed”. The Scriptures tell us that he was “well acquainted with the Way.” (Acts 24:22) Yet, he was not a Christian!

After Felix had ordered the centurion guarding Paul to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of him - “Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about 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. At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.” (Acts 24:24-26)

Felix knew that Paul had come to Jerusalem with a large sum of money which he had collected for the poor saints in Judea. So “he sent for him frequently and talked with him” At the same time, however, he never found it “convenient” to become a Christian. When Felix was replaced as governor by Porcius Festus he left Paul in prison to grant a favor to the Jews. Felix was a dishonest politician and was summoned to Rome to be tried for his cruelty and corruption. He was found guilty, but was spared the death penalty. AS FAR AS WE KNOW, FELIX NEVER BECAME A CHRISTIAN!

YOU WILL NEVER BECOME A CHRISTIAN EITHER IF YOU ARE WAITING FOR IT TO BE CONVENIENT!

  • It seems that God is not interested in our “convenience.”
  • Soldiers who enlist in the service of their country are not seeking for “convenience”.
  • In the same way those who follow Christ should also seek for “service” not “convenience.”
  • It was not “convenient” for Noah to build the ark!
  • It was not “convenient” for Abram to leave Ur of Chaldea and live in tents in a strange land.
  • It was not “convenient” for Abraham to travel three days to offer his son Isaac upon an altar.
  • It was not “convenient” for Moses to travel from Midian to Egypt to free God’s people.
  • It was not “convenient” for Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem since he lived over a thousand miles away in Persia.
  • It was not “convenient” for Zachariah and Elizabeth to be parents of John the Baptist because they were very old.
  • It was not “convenient” for Mary to give birth to Jesus in a manger.
  • It was not “convenient” for Jesus to be baptized by John since it was over 60 miles from Nazareth.
  • Crosses are not “convenient” and yet every follower of Christ is commanded to carry one.
  • So you should carefully count the cost before becoming a follower of Christ! It will undoubtedly not be convenient!

Jesus said: “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ “Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one

coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” (Luke 14:28-33)

While it may be hard to believe, those who experience the “inconvenience” of following Jesus are filled with “Inexpressible and glorious joy.” (1 Peter 1:8) Nehemiah said: “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Jesus endured His cross for the “Joy set before Him.” (Hebrews 12:2) Against all odds Christians are the happiest and most fulfilled people on earth! Jesus promised: “My peace I leave you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27) Jesus always keeps His promises!

The poet said it like this:

I sought it in the temple with angel vested choir, where dim and solemn spaces called my soul up higher. I thought that music sweet and rare must reach unto God’s throne.

And yet I saw some faces that were troubled like my own. And then I thought a summons called. Forward! Do not stay!

A world of conflict needs you, come do your part today! So I joined the forces of the right, and the hosts of evil fought.

And in the thickest of the fight, I found the peace I sought!

I love you,

Grandpa Boyce