A BRIBE FOR FREEDOM

• DAY 341
• FEAR FILE: APOSTLE PAUL
• SCRIPTURES: ‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭24‬-‭26‬

“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.” Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭24‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

If you’re an African, Nigerian to be precise, you are conversant with the concept of bribery. It’s difficult sometimes to do something in this nation without greasing some palms. It is ingrained in the system. If you refuse to bribe in some cases, you might find yourself stuck and unnecessarily delayed. It’s either you hold God or you hold money.

In our text today Paul is in prison. His crime was preaching the gospel of Christ. Governor Felix would send for him to hear about this gospel that put him in prison. The word he heard made him afraid and almost persuaded him but he sent Paul away because he had another agenda. He was hoping that Paul would give him money to be released. His desire for bribery hindered his ability to receive the gospel. When some people push you away, it may not be that you are not saying the right things. It could be that they have a different expectation. However, Felix is not the focus of our study today. Paul is.

I suspect that he knew what Felix wanted. Considering the number of times he was called and the response from Felix he would have picked it up. If you have met people seeking a bribe, you will know what they want even without them saying. So Paul had a chance to escape this unpleasant experience but he chose to stay there because there was a purpose for his arrest. He still had to preach in Rome and knew that bribery was not how God wanted to get him out of prison. He was confident in God’s plan for him even though he was in an uncomfortable situation. That’s faith

What would you have done in Paul’s situation? Would you not have considered it a way of escape? The easy way out may not be a God way out and it will take faith to stick to the God way. On this matter of bribery, the change starts with you and I. Someone has to say no and face the consequences, then another person joins and so the change begins.

May the Lord strengthen us to go against the tide and the norm and do what is right, even though i8t’s at a very high price. In Jesus’ name Amen

Shalom.