The Things We Don't Do

The Things We Don’t Do

Acts 26:1-29

            We don’t spend much time reading the last part of the Book of Acts—and it’s too bad we skip these chapters.  Beginning with Acts 21:17, which tells of Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem, to the end of the book we read about Paul’s last—and perhaps greatest—witness. 

            After his arrest, Paul speaks to the people, appears before the Roman tribune and then before the Sanhedrin, is sent to Felix, the governor, appeals to Caesar, and is sent to Rome, where he lives out the days until his execution.  To the end he continued to witness.  The final words of Acts (28:31) tell us that Paul “welcomed all who came to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.”

            Would that we could all claim this as the epitaph of our lives.

            It’s a part of this story that I would like to focus on today.  Felix was succeeded as governor by Porcius Festus, and it was before him that Paul made his appeal to Caesar—his right as a citizen of Rome.  The question of why Paul appealed to Caesar would make an interesting study, but that is not the subject of our discussion here.  It will have to wait for another time.

            While Paul was waiting to be sent to Rome, King Agrippa and his consort Bernice visited Festus.  The king developed an interest in Paul’s case and asked to hear him.  Paul’s oration (sermon?) and Agrippa’s reaction take up all of Chapter 26.  We will focus on the end of Paul’s defense and Agrippa’s answer.

            Paul describes his conversion on the Damascus road, and his subsequent ministry to the Gentiles.  He tells Agrippa that he was arrested by the Jewish leaders because of his work proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Festus interrupts and accuses Paul of madness:  “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you insane.”

            Insightful of Festus to recognize Paul as a great scholar.  Far less insightful is his attribution of Paul’s radical testimony to insanity.  After denying the truth of Festus’ claims, Paul turns to Agrippa.

            “King Agrippa,” Paul says, “do you believe the prophets?  I know that you believe.” 

            Agrippa answers, “Almost you persuade me to become a Christian.” (KJV)

            Almost—but not quite.  Some of the saddest words in the Bible.  Paul had done all he could.  He presented his argument succinctly yet completely.  We know through what we read in Acts and in his epistles that Paul was a persuasive speaker and writer.  His spoken words had caused many to believe in Jesus Christ.  His written words were influential in shaping the early church as well as the church today.  Yet with all his eloquence, he couldn’t convince Agrippa.

            Sydney J. Harris says:  “Regret for things we did can be tempered with time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable.”

            How true.  Whether it involves failure to commit our lives to Jesus Christ, or once having done so, failing to live in his will and his service, what we don’t do may haunt us for all eternity. 

            We don’t have to make the same mistake King Agrippa made.  We can accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, and, having done so, spend our lives producing the fruit of the Spirit.  We must do both.

            What will you choose?