ALMOST PERSUADED

          The Bible shares stories that describe both the good and bad of mankind.  There are stories of heroes and scoundrels, victories and defeats, godly living and sinful living, hope and despair, good choices and bad choices.  But I think one of the saddest stories is the story of what happened to King Agrippa, as found in the book of Acts. Paul was called before the king to give an account of his innocence. But Paul was more concerned about the king's eternal destination than that of his own acquittal. As Paul explained his actions and what had taken place in the temple twelve days earlier, he went into his Damascus road experience, describing in detail his encounter with the Lord Jesus. At the end of Paul's dissertation, King Agrippa made the following statement addressing Paul, "Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian," Acts 26:28.  Almost two centuries later, in 1871, a Reverend Brundage expounded upon this sad story  and then ended his Sunday morning sermon with the words "He who is almost persuaded is almost saved, and to be almost saved is to be entirely lost". Philip Paui Bliss (1838-1876), a composer of many hymns,was among those listening to Reverend Brundage's sermon. The pastor's powerful closing words left such an impression upon Bliss that he set about composing a song with the same sentiment.  Almost Persuaded was published that same year in The Charm: A Collection of Sunday School Music, and quickly found its way into the majority of English Christian hymnals. The compelling words have since been sung at many an alter call. Sadly, through the ages, many have made the same sad decision as King Agrippa.  They have heard the Gospel and either rejected it or postponed accepting God's free gift of salvation.  Many have said I will do it some convenient day and that day never comes.  And as Bliss wrote, "doom comes at last, almost cannot avail, almost is but to fail, sad, sad that bitter wail, almost but lost!"  I pray that you have already accepted God's free gift of salvation.  Don't be like King Agrippa.  Today is the day of salvation. Make that decision now, don't delay.   "How shall we escape if we neglect (ignore) such a great salvation" (Heb. 2:3). The sad truth is, dear reader, we won't escape!

1.     Almost persuaded now to believe;

Almost persuaded Christ to receive;

Seems now some soul to say,

Go, Spirit, go Thy way,

Some more convenient day

On Thee I'll call.

2.     Almost persuaded, come, come today;

Almost persuaded, turn not away;

Jesus invites you here,

Angels are lingering near

Prayers rise from hearts so dear;

O wanderer, come!

3.      Almost persuaded, harvest is past!

Almost persuaded, doom comes at last!

Almost cannot avail;

Almost is but to fail!

Sad, sad, that bitter wail

Almost, but lost! 

Listen to it here.   LISTEN