Act 26:28-29  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, except for these chains.”

There is an age old adage that says “Close only counts in hand grenades and horseshoes”. Close is the same as being a mile away. There are no rewards for being close. There is no completion in just being close. Close to being finished is still unfinished. Like was said, close only counts in hand grenades and horseshoes.

This is certainly true when it comes to being converted to Jesus Christ. We have all heard someone say, “They are really close to becoming a Christian”. The above passage teaches us that almost or close does not get one into heaven. In reality we might be close but still lost! Let us examine a little more closely our text. Paul was trying to get Agrippa to acknowledge his faith in the writings of the prophets. To that Agrippa replied, “Almost you persuade me to be a Christian.” Some believe this statement may have been in derision but we do not know the heart of this man. The problem was that whether he believed to the point of almost being a Christian or not, he still was lost. Notice the powerful statement of Paul, “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.” Paul’s desire was that all within the sound of his voice might become both ALMOST and ALTOGETHER such as I am…”notice the two words, almost and altogether. Paul is showing that it is not enough to almost be a Christian, but rather we must be altogether (totally committed) to Christ.

What does it mean to be almost a Christian?

1. Many today think that just having a knowledge of Jesus Christ is all that is necessary. Almost but still lost!
2. Some confuse zeal as having conviction. Paul told the Romans that zeal without knowledge (Romans 10:2) is almost but still lost.
3. Some consider being a good person is the same as being a Christian. Cornelius was a good man (Acts 10:2) but he was still lost

What does it mean to be an altogether Christian?

1. It is someone who has believed and obeyed the doctrine of Christ. ( 6:17)
2. It is someone who has fully committed his life to God.
3. It is someone who is faithful unto death. ( 2:10)
4. It is a person who loves God and his neighbor. ( 22:37-39)
5. It is one whose religion is pure and undefiled. (James 1:27)

What a sad thought that a myriad of people will stand before God’s judgment seat thinking they have done what was necessary yet will hear God say, “ALMOST BUT LOST!”

 

Mat 7:21-23  “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’