Nearly Persuaded

Scripture: 24 Festus interrupted Paul’s defense, blurting out, “You’re out of your mind! All this great learning of yours is driving you crazy.” 25 Paul replied, “No, Your Excellency Festus, I am not crazy. I speak the words of truth and reason. 26 King Agrippa, I know I can speak frankly and freely with you, for you understand these matters well, and none of these things have escaped your notice. After all, it’s not like it was a secret! 27 Don’t you believe the prophets, King Agrippa? I know that you do.” 28 Agrippa responded, “In such a short time you are nearly persuading me to become a Christian.” 29 Paul replied, “I pray to God that both you and those here listening to me one day become the same as I am, except, of course, without these chains.” 30 The king, the governor, Bernice, and all the others got up. 31 As they were leaving the chamber, they commented to one another, “This man has done nothing that deserves death or even imprisonment.” 32 King Agrippa said to Festus, “If he hadn’t appealed to Caesar, he could have been released.” (Acts 26:24-32 The Passion) They were nearly persuaded, but it seemed it was easier for them to just get up and walk away. How many times does this happen; to those we share the truth of Gospel with, ourselves when we are faced with truth we don’t want to accept? This is something that we all need to be careful to avoid. Father, I desire to get past the ‘nearly persuaded’ stage when I hear truth that might be hard for me to hear. Help me to have an open, responsive heart. AMEN God, I hear You say, “Today, when I speak, don’t even think about turning a deaf ear to me, or argue with me.” I don’t ever want to be hard-hearted or stubborn, my God. Psalm 95
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