Almost Persuaded

“Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Acts 26:28

Paul’s testimony before King Agrippa didn’t last very long.  I know because this morning I read aloud what Paul said (I read slowly, I promise), and even including Governor Festus’ outburst declaring Paul insane, the whole thing took less than four minutes.

Four minutes isn’t very long—but it was long enough.  Long enough for Paul to declare the truth of Christ’s resurrection, his own conversion, and his life mission.  And long enough for Paul to ask the king a probing question, “Do you believe?”(Acts 26:27).  Agrippa’s answer was ambivalent but not antagonistic—“Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”(Acts 26:28)  Paul’s reply should become the recurring cry of our own hearts. “Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains”(Acts 26:29).

Only God’s Spirit can persuade others to believe, but God desires we be persuasive.  Just as He did Paul, God has appointed us as servants and witnesses of what we have seen and what He has shown(Acts 26:16).  He has sent us to share His life and His light to “small and great alike…so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in Jesus”(Acts 26:22,18).  Some will think we’re crazy—as Festus thought of Paul, but many, like Agrippa, will pause and consider the truth.

Whether you’ve known someone for a long time or only a little, they should know that you know Jesus.
The difference between “Almost Persuaded” and “Most Persuaded” might not seem big, but it makes all the difference.