ALMOST PERSUADED by F. M. Corbaley

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Oct 12, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 40.

ALMOST PERSUADED.

By F. M. Corbaley

BY F. M. CORBALEY.

When Paul was brought before King Agrippa to answer for his faith, he feared not to stand before him, because he had a clear conscience. He believed and was persuaded that he was in the right. None of the buffetings to which he was subjected caused him to doubt or waver, and at every opportunity he spoke the word with power.

Then King Agrippa said to him, “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” The king’s heart was touched, and as the words of Paul pierced home to his heart, there was doubtless a strong impulse urging him to accept the teachings of Paul. Thus this man who was to judge Paul, was almost persuaded to stand with Paul; but his position made him proud. He loved position and notoriety, and allowed himself to stand disloyal to God. The things he loved were dearer to him than life. He was being weighed; God was calling him for the last time; he had the opportunity, and was almost persuaded. Almost means much. In this case it meant the throwing away of eternal life. How many have heard words such as Paul spoke, and are almost persuaded to consecrate all their life, their means; almost persuaded to pay an honest tithe; and almost persuaded to keep all the commandments; and yet allow to come in pride and the fashions of the world, allow themselves to become lovers of pleasure, and refuse to go out in the great harvest field, with Bible in hand, saying to the world that Jesus is soon coming!

If we are almost persuaded, we are standing where King Agrippa stood. His almost availed him nothing. Paul stood before the king a prisoner, a man condemned by men; but he failed not to do his duty, and give his message. He labored night and day, and, when he had finished his work, he said, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.”

We are not now standing before King Agrippa, but before God, who is Judge of all,—a Judge who never made a mistake. Then let us be fully persuaded to fight the good fight of faith to the end, for almost will not avail. We can not now afford to hesitate, as did the king, and lose all. We are almost home; let us be fully persuaded, accepting Christ for all He is, and triumph with His all-conquering Gospel.