Luke the beloved physician wrote while Paul was making a defense himself before king Agrippa, “Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, you are beside yourself; much learning does make you mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king knows of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believe you the prophets? I know that you believe”, and in chapter twenty-six and verse twenty-eight of the book of Acts Luke shared how king Agrippa told Paul, “almost you persuade me to be a Christian” where we read:
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost you persuade me to be a Christian.
The verse begins, “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, ...” Luke began with the words, “Then Agrippa” which means “at that time Agrippa whose name means hero-like” “said unto Paul” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Paul whose name means small or little”. Luke shared how “king Agrippa” responded to “Paul's” knowing that he was a believer with the following words.
The verse goes on to say, “... Almost you persuade me to be a Christian.” Luke continued with the words, “Almost you persuade me” which means “with a slight level of degree and intensity you, Paul, induce by words to believe, seek to win and convince me, king Agrippa” “to be a Christian” or “to exist as a follower of Christ Jesus”. Luke shared how “king Agrippa” told “Paul” that he “almost” convinced him to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “king Agrippa” admitted to being “almost” convinced to be a believer and follower of Jesus Christ. The difficulty comes with the “almost”, because no one will be forgiven of their sins and granted everlasting life without a full commitment to Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”. God loves everyone, and He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of mankind. That was a “full commitment”, and those who desire to be in a personal relationship with God must completely believe and trust in Him and never allow an “almost” to keep them from eternity with God.
Next time Luke shares how Paul says, “I would to God, that not only you, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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