Apples of Gold

I “almost” remembered to pick my child up from soccer practice. I “almost” finished my homework. I “almost” resisted the cookies and donuts. Rarely is almost a satisfactory outcome. Several decades ago my husband almost stopped at a stop sign in our sleepy neighborhood in Maine. It was the kind of neighborhood that you were more likely to spot a deer crossing the street than meet another vehicle. The old fashioned stutter stop, sometimes referred to as the “California Roll”, was not quite adequate in the eyes of the police officer who was patiently waiting for an unsuspecting driver to cross his path. 

While almost avoiding a ticket can ruin your day, almost having a relationship with God can devastate your future. When the Apostle Paul stood before King Agrippa and Festus, a Roman Procurator, defending his actions as a follower of Jesus, an interesting almost moment unfolded:

Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad! But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason. For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe”. Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” Then Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:24-29

King Agrippa listened attentively to Paul. He stood on the precipice of salvation but almost giving his life to God was as close as he got. There is no indication that he ever became a convert. 

There are people in our families, our place of employment, and even our churches that have almost given their hearts to the Lord. They have heard the Word of God, they have seen lives touched and changed by Jesus, and yet for whatever reason, they have not left the land of not quite there. 

Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The five who were foolish didn’t take enough olive oil for their lamps, but the other five were wise enough to take along extra oil. When the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep. At midnight they were roused by the shout, “Look, the bridegroom is coming! Come out and meet him!” All the bridesmaids got up and prepared their lamps. Then the five foolish ones asked the others, ‘Please give us some of your oil because our lamps are going out.’ But the others replied, ‘We don’t have enough for all of us. Go to a shop and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were gone to buy oil, the bridegroom came. Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked. Later, when the other five bridesmaids returned, they stood outside, calling, ‘Lord! Lord! Open the door for us!’  But he called back, ‘Believe me, I don’t know you!’ Matthew 25”1-12

The bridesmaids were all almost ready. They were watching and waiting and even to a degree preparing. This story depicts the devastating consequences of being almost ready. It wasn’t enough that they hung out with the bridesmaids who were ready. It wasn’t enough that they were scrambling for oil at the last minute. 

Will you sit across the table this Thursday, maybe even pass the mashed potatoes and gravy to someone who is almost ready? Perhaps someone in the pew in front of you each Sunday morning is almost ready to give their heart to Jesus. Paul spent his final years trying to convince anyone who would listen to trust in Jesus. Some responded and others, like Agrippa almost became Christians. 

The NLT translates the end of Paul’s speech to Festus and Agrippa like this:

“Whether quickly or not, I pray to God that both you and everyone here in this audience might become the same as I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:29

Almost is not enough. May God give us a burden for those around us who are standing on the edge of salvation. So close and yet so very far away. Just like almost stopping wasn’t enough for my husband to escape a fine, almost surrendering isn’t enough to become a child of God. 

May God use us to encourage those around us to move from almost to altogether. 

For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost. Luke 19:10