Almost Isn’t Good Enough

 

A person won’t change until they’re ready to. Every day, messages are preached, bible studies are conducted, and testimonies are shared around the world, yet people still refuse to respond to God. Instead of building their relationship with God, a lot of people give money to false apostles who claim that God will bless those who give to them. Even though Jesus Christ allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross for our sake, things haven’t changed since the beginning; we’re still focused on the flesh.

 

Jesus fed thousands of people with a few loaves of bread and fish, but it doesn’t say any of those people were converted. The adulterous woman was forgiven of her sin and told, “to sin no more,” but the Bible doesn’t say that she obeyed that commandment.

 

Every person who walks into these church doors has the same opportunity that the people had in the days of Jesus; to follow Him or to forsake Him.

 

If we’re going to talk the talk, we must walk the walk; we can’t continue through the motions of Christianity.

 

Acts 26:22-29 (KJV)

22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.

 

Paul had a choice to follow God or forsake Him, but Paul was a wise man and He knew what was best for him. The choice was an easy one for him to make, because he knew that God had his best interest.

 

How many times have people came to church and left the same way they walked in? That’s why people always have to justify their faith. They say things like, “I believe in God, I pray, I’m a good person…”

 

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

 

When we take on the surname of Christ, we become new people; our old lifestyles are left behind. Unfortunately, the world has made a mockery of salvation. It has been turned into a multibillion-dollar industry where false apostles market Jesus to the world for personal gain.

 

2 Corinthians 11:13-15 (KJV)

13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

 

Being almost persuaded wasn’t good enough for Paul. He was bound with chains in his flesh, but he was free in his spirit; completely dedicated to God.

 

It’s embarrassing to think about the suffering people are willing to go through to preach the Gospel to the lost, when we make up the poorest excuses just to skip a Sunday morning service.

 

Paul preached to the world Jesus Christ and Him crucified. He proved to people that Jesus was the Messiah whose come into the world to redeem mankind from sin.

 

Luke 14:23 (KJV)

23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

Compel – to drive together; unite by force; herd.

 

Almost is never good enough. “He almost got the Holy Ghost…”

 

To receive the Holy Ghost, you must be willing to separate from the world and follow Jesus.

 

That’s what repentance is all about; change. If you remain bound to the world you haven’t repented.

 

God is holy and when you say you’ve received the Holy Ghost you are saying, “I am holy.”

 

God will not dwell in a temple that isn’t Holy!

 

John 16:13 (KJV)

13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

 

Matthew 5:15-16 (KJV)

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

 

If people have to question if you are a Christian, there’s a good chance you are trying to hide what you believe.

 

What purpose would it serve to have a light and not let it shine? Can we persuade a world to serve a God that we are ashamed to serve ourselves?

 

If you thought being a Christian was going to come without persecution, you were wrong.

Hebrews 11:32-40 (KJV)

32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions. 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.