Commentary: Almost persuaded

The Apostle Paul, like Jesus, was hated by Jewish leaders out of their envy and jealousy. So they had him arrested. Later, he appeared before Felix, Festus, and finally King Agrippa in Caesarea. Paul very eloquently preached Christ to the King and other officials. J. Vernon McGee stated, “The appearance of Paul before Agrippa is, in my judgment, the high point in the entire ministry of this apostle.”

King Agrippa was almost persuaded to accept Christ and become a Christian. His famous words to Paul were, “Almost you persuade me to be a Christian.” How close the king came to being saved, but how tragic, since “almost” is never enough! How many times in hell, assuming he is there, Agrippa must have regretted rejecting Christ! He now has forever to regret his decision.

There is no “fence straddling” when it comes to Christianity. You are either persuaded and trust Christ or you do not. There are people in hell today deeply regretting their unbelief, their pride, and their foolishness on earth. They could all be enjoying the bliss and happiness of heaven. Paul was no doubt disappointed, but response in this matter involves the work of the Holy Spirit. God has elected some to respond, though He still gives everyone a choice in the matter. Choosing hell is the default. It requires no response to the Spirit.

Paul is not sorrowing today. He is in heaven with no tears or sad memories. Revelation 21:4 tells us, “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Sadly, most people today will not be persuaded. Some will almost, but “almost” is never enough. The sad and sorry condition of modern life is the direct result of so many people’s rejection of Jesus Christ. And He predicted exactly this when he said, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). Jesus knew that people would get worse over time.

All who reject Christ are bound for hell. And hell is no picnic. It is lonely, hopeless torment forever. The fact that it will last forever is the worst part. The poet Dante, in his classic, Inferno, said he saw a slogan over hell’s door that said, “Abandon all hope, ye who enter here.” What an awful place and condition to contemplate!

By contrast, heaven is as wonderful as hell is terrible. In 1 Corinthians 2:9, Paul tells us, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But you must learn to love God while still on earth to be fit for heaven.

When Paul and Barnabas were in a dungeon prison in Philippi, they were still happy with their joy of salvation. They sang hymns. The jailer took notice and wondered how anyone in prison could still be joyful. So he asked them, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). They answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved” (Acts 16:31).

They were right. All salvation takes is simple belief in Christ and asking for it. Of course, one must repent in order to call on Christ. The thief on the cross who called on Jesus was promised heaven that same day. This proved that no works are required, just belief.

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Ralph Fudge is the pastor of Big Ochlocknee Baptist Church in Coolidge, Ga., and has a Master’s degree in theology from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.