An Almost Persuaded Generation

Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”

Agrippa was actually saying, you almost persuade me to become a follower and disciple of Jesus. That is what it means to be a Christian as we define the word “Christian” used here.  Yet, the key phrase here is “almost persuade me.”  Our challenge today is to see people around us in daily life transformed into true followers and disciples of Jesus.  It is happening!  I am grateful for that.  It is very encouraging to see a new generation rising up, that have left the past for a future of following the Lord in every area of life.  It is also troubling to see many in churches that show little signs of transformation.  “Transformation” is the fruit that we are looking to see produced in the life of the new Christian.  Transformation means a complete change.  Sometimes I am concerned that I may show more patience than Jesus might.  I know that sounds strange but it also sounds strange that Jesus allowed the rich young ruler to walk away.  I’m not sure many of us would have done that.  There is a place a person has to get to in order to be considered a Christian.  That place is transformation.  It takes confrontation to get to transformation.  A person can’t be transformed without discomfort and pain.  It is difficult for a comfort-centered church to let that happen. 

Now back to Agrippa: he came to a place of information but not transformation.  He was saying that your talking and lecturing is so interesting that it tempts me to follow your teaching and way of life…yet he didn’t.  Lectures and teaching won’t bring transformation.  It might attract crowds who love listening to our lectures and are even fascinated by them.  There is a generation the Scripture tells us that will have a form of godliness but who denies the power of God.  There has to be a power accompanying our words that impacts the heart of the hearer and brings them to a doorway of surrender leading to transformation.  Every true Christian has been there and felt that confrontation that led to transformation.  Let me share another verse with you to ponder.  1 Thess. 1:5 says, “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among you for your sake.”  Paul makes it clear that the gospel that the apostles of that day preached did not come only in a word being heard but it came in a word being felt!  It came in POWER!  Now I know that there were miracles accompanying the Word being preached but here it is clear that the primary power was life challenging and life changing.  That preaching also had the obvious presence of the Holy Spirit, which is the only ONE who can change a person.  The fruit of transformation was the wonderful assurance, the knowing in the heart.  May we be a loving and patient church seeking to win the lost to Jesus.  Yet, may we be Spirit-led enough that we will allow the Holy Spirit to wound those He must in order to become the true Comforter later.