By Pastor Tom Shanklin

Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (Acts 26:28, KJV).

Almost only counts in horseshoes. In the Christian life, “almost” amounts to two-thirds of nothing. Jesus said, “He that is not with me is against me. . .” With Christ, it’s all or nothing. Either you’re converted or unconverted, saved or unsaved, born again or not born again.

King Agrippa had heard Paul’s tremendous testimony. He had heard how Jesus had appeared to him and called him to surrender his life and called him to be a minister of the Gospel. Paul told him how Jesus had died on the cross for our sins, that He was calling men to repentance that they might receive eternal life.

Agrippa said, “Almost. . . Almost. . . Almost. . . thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” How sad to be an “almost” Christian.

I wonder how many “almost” Christians there are in the world today. How many that say that they like the Christian message. They want their sins forgiven. They want a change in their life. Almost. . . Almost. . . Almost. . . they are willing to give their life to Jesus.

No, there will be no half-way Christians in heaven. It’s all or nothing, black or white, sin or righteousness. We all need Jesus. He’s the only way.

The only way to get to heaven, to be saved, to be born again is to turn from sin and believe in the finished work of Calvary. Jesus said, “ye must be born again. . .”

“Born again” is an overused term these days. Some would say that a sports team that has experienced a change for the better has been born again. Or it may be someone whose career has turned around.

A few years ago a man who was a publisher of a porn magazine announced that he was “born again.” The problem is, he kept publishing the magazine. That’s not being born again. When you’re born again, you change. You don’t publish porn magazines, you publish the Gospel.

Porn magazine owners, just like the rest of us, can be born again, but when you’re born again you leave the old life behind. You are changed by the power of God. Born again people face temptations and sometimes sin, but there is a difference. They have a new godly nature. It’s a change in the inner man in which you desire to live for God. The born again message is the solution to the crime problem, the abortion problem, the “lingerie show” problem, the sin problem. . .

You cannot be “almost” born again. Either you are or you aren’t. And there’s no excuse for refusing God’s free gift of salvation.

God says his salvation benefits are for everyone. “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17, KJV). “Whosoever” includes everyone. It includes you. It includes me. It includes the porn publisher. No one is excluded. But each most come through the straight gate and the narrow way. Jesus is that way. He changes lives. He forgives sins. He gives new life. He gives the power to change.

Get off the “almost” Christianity. Get off the fence. Leave whatever is hindering you behind, whether it be selfishness, position, power, religious tradition, family or friends and go all the way with Jesus. He is Lord!

Pray this simple prayer:

Dear God, I give you my life. I confess Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I believe He died for my sins and rose again from the dead. Thank you for saving me and giving me a new life, in Jesus name.

I encourage you to find a strong local church where the Bible is taught. I would also like to send you a booklet I have written entitled “Becoming a Strong Christian” to help you in your walk of faith. Write and request your free copy today or download it free here.