Almost, But Lost.
Acts 26-28 Then King Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.
One of the saddest accounts in the Bible is found In Acts chapter 26 and verse 28. The Apostle Paul is being falsely accused of wrong doing by the Jews. King Agrippa comes onto the scene and agrees to hear Paul’s testimony himself. In Acts 26:1, King Agrippa grants Paul permission to speak. Paul expounds on his life as a persecutor of Christians and then explains his conversion on the road to Damascus. Paul continues and shares the gospel of Jesus Christ by which he was saved. Paul ends his testimony by stating that he has spoken the truth. In verse 28 the statement is made by King Agrippa, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
How frustrating that is for those saints who have over the years, shared the good news of Jesus Christ, only to hear the listener reply “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” There are many reasons that Christians do not seek souls for the Lord ,nor do they even invite folks to Church. The excuses come that they don’t have time, or they are too scared, or as we see in the case of King Agrippa, the statement is made “they won’t listen anyway, it’s a waste of my time”. Oh Christian seek ye first the kingdom of God. Soul winning is nothing to fear. If your relationship is right with God, then you understand that perfect love casteth out fear 1 John 4:18. Perhaps if Paul had not spoken a word to King Agrippa he would have never heard the Gospel nor had the chance to receive Christ. Paul spoke the truth in love and the rest was up to Agrippa. He chose to reject Christ. I am sure this broke Paul’s heart, just as it breaks mine every time I read this account of scripture.
Christians who are rejected often get discouraged and quit witnessing altogether. We put God to the side and the lost souls on the back burner. We seek after earthly things that have no spiritual value. We enter into vanity and become the lukewarm Christian mentioned at the Church of Laodicea Revelation chapter 3.
Be encouraged brethren. Seek ye first the kingdom of God Matt 6:33. God wants faithfulness, not results. We are to sew and water and God gives the increase. 1 Corinthians 3:6. Be faithful, continue in the work of the Lord. No matter how many times your heart is broken by King Agrippa, continue to sew the seeds and water the soil with God’s Word. Seek after the harvest and reap that which is ripe. Better that a person hears the Gospel and is almost persuaded but lost, than a person you had opportunity to share with and you didn’t.
Remember this. Psalm 126:5 They that sow in tears, shall reap in joy.
Tim Fisher, Assistant Pastor
