Acts 24:22-27. After Paul's hearing, the Roman governor, Felix, keeps Paul in custody saying he wants to wait until the tribune can come to Caesarea. Felix has "a rather accurate knowledge of the way," and orders that Paul "should have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs." After a few days, Felix sends for Paul, and he and his Jewish wife Drusilla hear Paul speak about Jesus. As Paul speaks of justice, self-control, and future judgment, Felix becomes alarmed and sends Paul away. Over the next two years, Felix calls Paul to him often, hoping that Paul will pay for his release, and he converses with Paul frequently. After two years, though, Felix is succeeded as governor by Porcius Festus, and Felix leaves Paul in prison, in order to do a favor for the Jews.

Felix is an interesting character. We are told he has a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, so he has heard about Christ and His teachings. He also has a Jewish wife so, while not being Jewish himself, I'm sure he knows Jewish customs and the basics of Jewish law. And he is clearly interested in what Paul has to say, he goes to Paul with Drusilla specifically to listen to his teachings. But Felix is a politician and he has power, both of which can be a huge detriment to becoming or remaining a Christian.

Politics requires certain game-playing and personal aggrandizement that Christianity cautions against, and which can easily become sinful. Power not only goes to one's head and potentially leads one astray that way, but it also requires one to judge, punish, and condemn in accordance with the law. If the law is not rooted in Judeo-Christian values, which Roman law was not, there's often a direct conflict between enforcing the law and living in accordance with Christianity. We can see that Felix started to sense that when he spoke with Paul the first time and became alarmed as Paul spoke of justice, self-control, and future judgment.

By the end of this passage it seems the political side of Felix has won out - he continues conversing with Paul often, hoping for a bribe, and then leaves Paul in prison when he is succeeded as governor. But we don't know what happened to Felix after this. Did all of those conversations with Paul light a spark in his heart? Once he was out of power, was he able to hear about Christian justice, self-control, and future judgment without feeling alarmed?

Conversion often takes a very long time, perhaps Felix needed to step away from politics and power before the truth could start settling into his heart. Let's hope it ultimately did.