A. The word "almost" is a term that completely changes a sentence and negates an action.
1. To demonstrate this, consider a few examples of persons who were almost saved from death.
a. A man is almost saved from drowning...
...but his reach falls twelve inches short of a life preserver.
b. A man is almost rescued from a burning building...
...but the fireman's ladder only reaches to the floor below him.
c. A man almost avoids freezing in a blizzard...
...but he is lost in the blinding snow just a few feet from his house.
d. A man almost receives an organ transplant...
...but the needed organ becomes available the day after his death.
2. The word "almost" is often used to soften the reality of a situation, but the practical truth is that "almost" is not much different from "not at all."
B. The word "persuaded" means to be convinced, to be induced by words to believe, or to yield to influence.
1. The Greek word peithō (πείθω) is used many times in the New Testament to describe the influence of God on men and of men on one another.
2. As for Christians, it is our business to persuade those whom we contact with the gospel of Jesus Christ. "Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade men..." (2Cor. 5:11).
C. Putting these words together, those who are "almost persuaded" concerning anything are in the same practical position as those who are not persuaded at all. In this lesson, we will consider what this means in terms of faith in Christ.
II. AGRIPPA WAS ALMOST PERSUADED TO BE A CHRISTIAN
A. The apostle Paul made a convincing defense before King Agrippa (Acts 26:1-23).
1. After spending two years in a Roman prison in Caesarea, Paul received no justice from either the governor Felix or his successor Festus. At last, he asserted his rights as a Roman citizen and appealed his case to Caesar (Acts 25:11).
2. Having no charges to make against Paul in his extradition to Caesar, Festus sought help from King Agrippa before sending Paul to Rome (Acts 25:23-27).
3. In his trial before Agrippa, Paul appealed to Agrippa on the basis of his knowledge of the Jews' customs and the events concerning Christ that fulfilled Moses and the Prophets (see vv. 3, 22, 23, 26).
4. He also demonstrated how these things had affected him personally, for he had been changed from a violent persecutor of the church to a preacher of faith in Christ.
B. Although Festus completely rejected Paul's words, King Agrippa was almost persuaded to become a Christian (Acts 26:24-32).
1. Notice verse 24 -- While Paul was saying this in his defense, Festus said in a loud voice, "Paul, you are out of your mind! Your great learning is driving you mad."
2. Paul responded by denying that he was mad and declaring that he had stated "words of sober truth" (v. 25)
3. Paul then directed his comments to Agrippa because he knew about these things already (v. 26). His question to Agrippa in verse 27 was: "King Agrippa, do you believe the Prophets? I know that you do."
4. Agrippa's answer is given in verse 28: "In a short time you will persuade me to become a Christian." Paul replied, "I would wish to God, that whether in a short or long time, not only you, but also all who hear me this day, might become such as I am, except for these chains" (v. 29).
5. At the conclusion of this trial, no charges had been substantiated against Paul. He was almost a free man (v. 32), but he remained in Roman custody for three more years.
6. More importantly, Agrippa was not converted to Christ. Being almost persuaded to become a Christian did not benefit Agrippa at all, for he remained just as lost and condemned as Festus.
III. ALMOST PERSUADED TO...
A. Like Agrippa, many are almost persuaded to become Christians, but they do not.
1. Although such persons see the truth of the gospel, they stop short of fully obeying it.
2. There are various reasons for these "almost" conversions.
a. Some love the approval of man more than the approval of God (John 12:43). They fear rejection by family and friends, so they do not conform to the will of Christ.
b. Some love the world more than God (1John 2:15) and are unwilling to give up the pleasures of the world for the sake of Christ.
c. Some believe that they cannot be good enough to be saved, so they do not try for fear of failure. Such persons misunderstand salvation, for it is a gift rather than a wage (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:8-10).
d. In any case in which a soul is almost persuaded to become a Christian, he remains completely lost in his sins.
B. Even among Christians, some are almost persuaded to give up sin, but they continue to come back to it.
1. Some Christians may be persuaded to think that certain behaviors are sinful for others but somehow not for themselves. Such persons should consider the question of Romans 2:3:
But do you suppose this, O man, when you pass judgment on those who practice such things and do the same yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?
2. Some Christians may treat God's grace as a safety net for their sinful practices. To them, the Scriptures ask in Romans 6:1-2:
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?
3. All Christians need to be persuaded that sin is to be avoided at all costs and that forgiveness in Christ is a last resort. Consider John's message in 1John 2:1:
My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
C. Some Christians are almost persuaded to be separated from the world, but they are still worldly.
1. To the Corinthian Christians, Paul wrote in 2Corinthians 6:14-18:
14Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? 15Or what harmony has Christ with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? 16Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 17Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says the Lord. "And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you. 18And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me," says the Lord Almighty.
2. The point of these instructions is not to withdraw from life on earth (1Cor. 5:10), but rather it is that we are not to mingle in spiritual fellowship with those who are not in Christ. The practical application of this is that we must not allow the world to dictate our actions, words, and thoughts (Rom. 8:6-8; 1Cor. 2:14-3:3).
3. Nevertheless, many Christians continue to let the world set their standards for behavior, speech, modesty, entertainment, homes, education, and other things. They often stay one step behind the world in such things. Thus being almost separated from the world, they feel justified, but they are mistaken.
IV. CONCLUSION
A. Saying "almost" does not change the fact that a person does not believe in Christ, has not obeyed the gospel, and is not a Christian. Almost saved, almost faithful, and almost a Christian is still altogether lost.
B. Likewise, Christians who have almost given up sin and are almost separated from the world are still marred in sin and tied to the world.
C. To lead souls from any state of "almost" faith, we who are Christians need to exert more influence through the word of God and persuade them to make a full commitment. For many souls, it is almost too late, so let us be diligent.
