When Paul was on trial before King Agrippa, Paul preached to him about the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul then looked at him and asked him, “King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets?” Before the king had time to respond, Paul answered for him and said, “I know that you do!” King Agrippa admitted, “Almost you persuade me to be a Christian.” Paul was thankful that he had touched the King’s heart and said, “I would to God, that not only you, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.”
No doubt the room was filled with “almost.” We don’t know if any of those hearing Paul that day responded to the power of Paul’s words and took further action. However, we do know from history that King Agrippa did not, and that despite being “almost persuaded,” he perished as an unbeliever. Almost is not enough.
All of us have known someone who almost believed. Years ago in a little Bible class at work, one of our co-workers was interested in what the Bible teaches, but said, “Everyone has the right to interpret the Bible for themselves as they see fit.” Lots of people feel this way. Yet the Bible is clear that no prophecy of Scripture can be interpreted any way we like. The apostle Peter tells us, “First of all, you must understand this: No prophecy in Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever originated through a human decision. Instead, men spoke from God.”
One way to make the point clear is to direct the discussion toward an often ignored Bible principle that demonstrates that we are not free to interpret the Bible as we wish. Consider what Jesus and James have to say about taking an oath. Jesus tells us, “I say unto you, swear not at all.” James is very clear, saying, “Above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay be nay: lest ye fall into condemnation.”
The logical question is, “When is it okay to take an oath?” Both Jesus and James said not to do it at all. One member of our class at work had just been elected mayor of his city and he told us, “I did not know it was wrong to swear, and now I know it is wrong — but I still do it.” He was going to take the oath of office anyway. In our little class it was now clear that here is a teaching in the Bible which is not subject to interpretation, and which many of those in the class were not prepared to obey.
Those who put their left hand on the Bible when they raise their right hand to recite an oath in court or at a public swearing-in ceremony show that they have no idea that the Bible they are putting their hand on says, “Do not swear.” Ironically the very book, God’s book, that they rest their hand on, says that they should not be swearing. The Bible is not so much misinterpreted as it is ignored.
Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” Notice he did not say to keep some of them. Also, just as God did not give the children of Israel the ten suggestions, God and Jesus do not give us suggestions; they want us to obey their commandments. Many people think they know what pleases God, and often will do many things they think God would like. However, they don’t make the effort to find out exactly what God wants and are not careful to obey all that God commands, which is why so many of those that the Lord has called will not be chosen.
Sadly, our little Bible class consisted of good living Christians who did not wish to follow all the principles of the Bible. They could “almost” believe the gospel, but not quite. They never chose to pursue the Truth. Almost is not enough.
We are not at liberty to pick and choose what we will obey and what we can ignore. God wants total dedication to His commandments. The Lord Jesus gave his all, even his life, for us, and he has asked us to take up our cross and follow him. We must do our part, just as the apostle Paul did, explaining, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” We will face challenges and endure hardships, and we are assured that we will be tried, but not beyond that which we are able to bear. Our trials are to refine our character, as Paul also explains, “Knowing this, that the trying of your faith works patience”
We cannot almost be Christians. We cannot almost obey the commandments. We cannot look over the teachings in the Bible and make our own decision as to which we will follow and which we won’t, which we will believe and which we won’t. We cannot interpret the Scriptures any way we want. Instead, we must be committed to learning what the gospel is and finding out exactly what the Lord requires of us. And then we must do it.
Let us not almost follow our Lord, but let us commit ourselves to dedicating our life to serving him, taking up our cross and obeying his commandments. Jesus tells us, “And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” May we be among those that are blessed with eternal life. “Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One