By DR. GUY G. GOODELL, Pastor

BIBLE BAPTIST CHURCH

WEST STREET - HUDSON FALLS, NEW YORK 12839

We are living in the day of the "Convenient Christ" and "Convenient Christianity."

When Paul was called before Felix and Drisilla to testify concerning his faith in Christ, he boldly confronted the leader with the claims of Christ.

The passage says, "[Paul] reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come . . ." (Acts 24:25). Felix had expected to hear about another religious fad, something common in first century Rome.

However, the ruler heard that Christ’s followers believed in ABSOLUTES (righteousness), SELF-DISCIPLINE (temperance), and ACCOUNTABILITY (judgment to come). When he heard that, "Felix trembles, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a CONVENIENT SEASON, I will call for thee.

The Greek word used here is Kairos, and refers to any opportunity. It usually meant a time considered appropriate by the person himself. The King James English word "convenient" referred to a condition in which all other endeavors would "fit into" ones personal desire for the moment.

I was soul winning recently, and I asked permission to enter the residence to talk about getting saved. The man said, "It isn’t CONVENIENT."

A couple dropped out of our church years ago. I went to see them, but they resisted all efforts to deal with the matter. Now, fifteen years later, they called to have me perform a quick wedding. To them, Christ and His Church are only a CONVENIENCE, I declined.

I can understand some people using CONVENIENCE as a guideline: the unsaved, backslidden believers, etc. However, it still shocks me to see Christian leaders claiming INCONVENIENCE when Scripture is not followed.

An evangelist set up a meeting with me. I spent hundreds of dollars on promotion, and I promoted it among our people. We eagerly anticipated his coming. One week before the meeting, he called and cancelled the dates. "Why?" I asked. He responded, "It just isn’t CONVENIENT."

I later found out, from a friend, that he had been offered an all-expense trip to The Holy Land by a big-named preacher. He used CONVENIENCE as the reason for canceling, but DISHONESTY was the real problem.

BIBLICAL CHRISTIANS DO NOT OPERATE ON CONVENIENCE. CONVENIENCE PUTS THE INDIVIDUAL IN CONTROL. TRULY DEDICATED CHRISTIANS OPERATE ON THE THREE POINTS OF PAUL’S TESTIMONY TO FELIX.

FIRST, true Biblical Christians operate on absolutes (righteousness). The Bible teaches ABSOLUTE RIGHT and ABSOLUTE WRONG. When a commitment is made, the only way to avoid it is by an honest release from the one to whom it was made. Felix did not like righteousness; many believers don’t either.

SECOND, true Biblical Christians are disciplined (temperent). That means they require themselves to DO RIGHT even when it would be easier to DO WRONG. They reject CONVENIENCE and practice COMPLIANCE with Truth. Felix did not like discipline; most Christians don’t either.

THIRD, true Biblical Christians hold themselves ACCOUNTABLE (judgment to come). They are aware of Romans 14:12, "So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God." They know that the Judgment Seat of Christ is coming (II Corinthians 5:10-11). They hold themselves ACCOUNTABLE now so that their ACCOUNTABILITY then will bring them His "Well done, good and faithful servant". Felix did not want accountability; a lot of Christians reject accountability also.

I am deeply wearied of hearing believers tell me "it isn’t convenient" when they disobey God. I am more wearied of "spiritual leaders" who tell me "it isn’t convenient" when they reject compliance with Scripture.