Almost and I Thought

In Acts 26:9, Paul reflects on his time as a persecutor of the Lord and His church, saying to King Agrippa, “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth.”

Holding preconceived ideas of how things should be, allows our own ideas to direct us rather than being directed by the word of God. Paul sincerely thought he was doing right; but Paul was wrong. He remained an enemy of God until he allowed himself to be guided by the word of God.

Another “I thought” situation is found in 2 Kings 5. Naaman was a mighty soldier, but he was a leper. Upon learning God’s prophet Elisha could heal, Naaman immediately planned to see him.

When Naaman arrived, Elisha didn’t even come to the door, instead he sent his servant with instructions on how to be healed. Naaman became furious, saying, “I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call upon the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place and cure the leper.” Naaman left in a rage, and he left as a leper. However, Naaman’s servants convinced him to heed the words of God’s prophet. When he turned and obeyed the word of the Lord, he received the healing he so desperately desired. Agrippa’s “almost” statement comes in verse 28. After Paul’s appeal to the king to consider the prophets in view of the message of Jesus, Agrippa said, “You almost persuade me to be a Christian” (NKJV).

How sad it is to consider that a man who is almost saved is totally lost! Heed God’s word. Don’t be almost a Christian! Be a Christian!