Almost isn’t Good Enough

Acts 26:29 – Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Paul continued with his testimony, to King Agrippa and the assembly. He gave account of his obedience to his calling and how he preached to the Jews and the Gentiles, calling people to repentance, reflected in changed hearts and actions. But his passionate pleas often led to people becoming angry with him, even trying to kill him.

As Paul continues to speak passionately, Festus calls him insane. Paul turns to Agrippa, appealing to his understanding. Paul challenges Agrippa directly by asking him – do you believe the prophets, hoping that truth and reason would then lead him to believe in Jesus. But Agrippa refused to believe or say he believed. Agrippa says, you almost persuaded me to become a Christian? (v28, NKJV).

‘Almost’ faith is so sad. Almost being a Christian means that you almost have eternal life and will almost be delivered from the judgment of hell. But almost isn’t good enough. Agrippa had come so close to the Gospel and yet rejected it. He didn’t want to turn from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to the power of God. Agrippa rejected the forgiveness of sins or a place among God’s people. What a great loss!

Faith in Christ has to be complete. There is no in between path. The Bible says, one day, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Christ is Lord (Philippians 2:11). The question is, are we going to choose Him now or are we going to be forced to at His coming?