Good Morning Friends,
“Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think
that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’ Paul replied,
‘Short time or long -- I pray God that not only you but all who are listening
to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.’” (Acts 26:28-29)
Paul had preached to the Jewish Council,
Governor Felix, Governor Festus, and now King Agrippa. To each of them he had
made the same appeal, giving them an opportunity to hear the Gospel and respond
to it. In one sermon, Paul hoped to see Agrippa converted. And Agrippa was
aware of what Paul was trying to do. Agrippa was not ready to make such an
important decision -- at least that’s the excuse that he used -- it was too
short a time to make such a radical change in his life.
So, here’s a question: How long does it take
to become a Christian?
Time isn’t the important thing, and Paul knew
that. He appealed to Agrippa to become a Christian now, in a short time, or
later, taking longer to examine what Paul had preached. But the truth is, it
doesn’t have to take a long time to become a Christian.
Paul himself was converted in a very short
time. Jesus met him on the road to Damascus and Paul’s conversion started right
then and there.
The Ethiopian heard Phillip teach him about
Jesus for just a short time, in a chariot ride, and then was ready to respond
to the Gospel.
And there are many other stories that can be
told of people who heard the Gospel and were immediately convicted by it and
were ready to respond. In fact, the reason many don’t respond the first time
they hear is not because they are unsure of its truth, but because they are not
ready to submit their will to the Lord. For most, it doesn’t take more study to
become a Christian, just a brokenness of will.
Agrippa wasn’t ready for that and he delayed
his decision, perhaps delayed it never to again consider it. It’s easy to leave
the Gospel aside and get back into the activity of life, never to bring it back
to make a decision again. And that indecision may have cost Agrippa eternity!
His, by Grace,
Steve
No comments:
Post a Comment