Seeking Jesus First Nov. 5, 2025
The Apostle Paul did not mince words when speaking about righteousness, self control and pending judgment.
“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.” (Acts 24:25, NKJV)
We know that Paul spoke of righteousness as a gift from God that is the result of faith in Christ Jesus. It is apparent that righteousness, once received, becomes a way of living our lives. Paul “reasoned” with Governor Felix about righteousness, self-control and judgment that was coming. Governor Felix was afraid to listen to Paul any more. He was not ready to repent. Governor Felix did not want to elevate his mind to the mind of Christ. Governor Felix wanted to wait until it was convenient for him, so he sent Paul away. Why would Felix be afraid of what Paul was telling him?
Righteousness and self control are never “convenient”. The righteousness that is gifted to us through faith manifests itself in self-control. Probably, the most important thing to master is your “self”. Jesus said, “Through patience, possess your soul.” Can you think of anything else that Jesus tells us to possess and control? “These three remain, faith, hope and love and the greatest of these is love.” Can you walk by faith without self-control? Can you love others without self-control? “The just shall live by faith.” “By love, serve one another.” “But speaking the truth in love, we grow up in all things into the head - Christ.”
Self-control or self-mastery is the first place of victory for a believer. Even victory over devils is subsequent to victory over self. “Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee.”
Even every day life tells you to master yourself if you want to succeed. Self-control is self-discipline. Will a person even spend time in stillness with The Spirit of God without self-control? “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.” (Hebrews 4:11, NKJV)
A relationship between a man and a woman requires self-control. We develop that marriage on purpose. We spend time with each other on purpose. We decide how to speak to each other on purpose. We serve each other on purpose. We forgive each other on purpose.
Anything worth accomplishing will require self-control in order to accomplish it. And guess what!, The Spirit of God in us gives us strength, power and self-control. “He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness.”