“Then Agrippa said unto Paul, you ALMOST persuaded me to be a Christian.” (Acts 26:28)
What is an almost Christian? Almost is an interesting word, one that is sometimes use when we are delaying something, when we are not quite ready to commit. Maybe we‘ve been in a restaurant and the server arrives at our table to ask if we are ready to order, then someone says “almost.” We use this word when are unsure about something. One place where this word does not fit is “almost Christian.” Either you are a Christian or you are not. You may be well on your way to becoming a Christian. You may be looking into the claims of Christ and investigating them. BUT YOU CANNOT BE AN ALMOST CHRISTIAN. There was conviction going on inside the heart of Agrippa, and he sensed that he had to make a decision one way or another. It was a defining moment in his life, and for a few seconds all of heaven waited in breathless silence. Paul’s words nearly worked: “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Sadly, “almost” turned out to be a huge word in the light of eternity for Agrippa. Paul, who was mightily used of God, then said,
“I would wish to God, that…not only you, but also ALL WHO HEAR ME THIS DAY, might become such as I am…” (Acts 26:29)
This is what I feel led to emphasize, that the way we live our lives for Christ, will influence others to desire what we have! Peter spoke these words to the man who had been lame all his life,
“I have no silver and gold, but WHAT I DO HAVE I GIVE TO YOU. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” (Acts 3:6)
Now, we cannot “almost believe” the following scripture: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me WILL DO the works I HAVE BEEN DOING, and they WILL DO EVEN GREATER THINGS THAN THESE, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son…
You may ask me for anything [pertaining to the works Jesus did] in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14)
Dear Lord please free us from the “almost” spirit…Bill Stockham