Almost Persuaded
"King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe." Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." And 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."1
"In the Peanuts cartoon the team statistician brings Charlie Brown, the manager, his report [which says]: 'I've compiled the statistics on our baseball team for last season,' Linus says. 'In twelve games we almost scored a run and in nine games the other team almost didn't score before the first out. In right field, Lucy almost caught three balls and once almost made the right play.
"'We led the league,' he concludes, 'in almosts.'"2
In Paul's day King Agrippa was also an almost … he was almost persuaded to become a Christian. We hope that he did while he had the opportunity. However, if he didn't, he is lost forever because there is no indication anywhere in God's Word that anybody is given a second chance after death to receive Jesus as their Savior.
So whatever you do, don't be an almostâ€"an almost persuaded. For help, be sure to pick up your "Passport for Heaven" at: http://tinyurl.com/heaven-passport.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me not to be an 'almost' in anything of significanceâ€"including when it comes to fulfilling my God-given life purpose here on earth, and especially when it comes to being prepared for life after death. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
1. Acts 26:27-29 (NKJV).
2. Cited on www.sermons.com
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