Almost Persuaded (Acts 26)

And as he thus spoke for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning does make you mad!"  But Paul said, "I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king himself knows of these things, before whom also I speak freely; for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him, for this thing was not done in a corner.  King Agrippa, believe you the prophets? I know that you believe."  Then Agrippa said unto Paul, "You almost persuade me to be a Christian." (vs24-28)

It’s sad to be “almost” persuaded to be a Christian, when the evidence is clear, and the salvation is free and precious.  It is sad because these inarguable truths that we declare, save sinners by the death of God’s Son, and give them most precious eternal life.

Paul recounted his personal experience, not merely a teaching, but something that he saw, when Christ revealed His irrefutable wisdom. He says, “For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me.  Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come – that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles” (vs21-23). Christ teaches us that we are sinners, bound in chains, and salvation is by the sacrifice He made.  It is reasonable that sin be punished, and it is God’s own Son, who shines brighter than the sun, who reveals how God can be holy and gracious. He said, “I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me” (vs17-18)  The gift of eternal life, when rejected, is a sad thing, because no one can prove that anything in scripture is false.  No one goes without sinning, and there’s no atonement anywhere else in the world, which glorifies God in judgment and pardon.

Secondly, it is sad to see rejecters of Christ, people almost saved, because salvation is free. Paul is CONFRONTED by the Son of God and wrong in every way, yet Christ comes, as He does to us, and commands him to be saved.  He said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.  But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you” (vs15-17). He gives this opportunity to you by the gospel.  He comes declaring that He’s here to save, not merely inform, but to deliver you from sin and its punishment.

God gave His Son to die, so that He could GIVE eternal life, and for people to hear and not take it, is squandering salvation for damnation, changing help to harm, and destroying their own souls in blindness.  Christ is the one ark of salvation before God’s fury floods the ungodly, but many, many, refuse to enter in. They are moved somewhat, but they are not willing to live by faith.

Thirdly, this great salvation is squandered and yet precious.  It saves from hell, makes us righteous, forgives, and it gives us heaven’s bliss.  Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains” (vs29). If the soul weren’t so precious then it wouldn’t matter much if you rejected Christ, never mind the truth. But, when hell awaits the rebels, and while heaven is to be gained and won, it is sad beyond description that sinners will eternally perish, being un-persuaded by wisdom, power, and the love of others. This is tragic.

People read this blog, even these very words right now, and yet they don’t believe.  They say, “Good point”, and, “That’s true”, but they don’t live by Christ, acting upon the gospel.  They’re convicted, but they continue in sin.  They hear IRREFUTABLE truth, and yet attend churches where the same gospel isn’t preached.  They say, “It feels good”, and they reason that because they haven’t been hit by lightening, it must not be so bad after all.

Perhaps King Agrippa thought that he was safe and didn’t need the truth, because he’d acquired a position of such prominence. Many say, “The family is good, the money is OK, and I’m not hurting too badly, so why change and surrender my being?”  But, just because things are peaceable now, it doesn’t mean that you’ll escape wrath in the end. Christ didn’t come so that men would be saved from economic trouble and health issues; He came to save the SOUL, to reconcile with God, and to bring real peace and heaven’s bliss.

Don’t be un-persuaded!  One thing matters - not that you understand or agree, but that like Paul, you and I believe, get help from God, repent, and show the fruits thereof.  He said, “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision, but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance” (vs19-20). Be PERSUADED, so that you can live your life persuading others, delivering the gospel to them for their salvation as commanded.