Certain memories of my childhood are deeply embedded. There is the memory of standing at the close of the preacher’s sermon singing “‘Almost persuaded’ not to believe, ‘Almost persuaded’ Christ to receive…” It is the final phrases that are forever fixed in my memory. “‘Almost cannot avail; ‘Almost’ is but to fail; Sad, sad, that bitter wail – ‘Almost’ – but lost!”

I regret that I cannot remember the song that was sung when I stepped out from the crowd and walked down the aisle to become a Christian by obeying the gospel. Many other things I remember about the Saturday night before and that Sunday morning, but not the song. I would like to think it was this song, for I know that I stood “almost persuaded” through many invitation songs before I finally summoned the courage to do what I knew I should do.

Since that day so long ago I have had the privilege to stand before many audiences preaching the gospel. All those who preach know there are those in the audience who are “almost persuaded.” We long for their obedience. We search for Scriptures, ideas, and words that will “altogether” persuade them. But, far, far too many times they remain “almost persuaded.”

A long time ago there was another, perhaps the father of this group of “almost persuaded” people. He was a king. Agrippa was his name. His story is related to us in Acts 26.

The apostle Paul, having been wrongly charged by Jewish authorities, made an appeal that his case be heard by Caesar, the Roman emperor. But the local Roman authorities were having trouble figuring out what charge they should bring against him. When King Agrippa came to pay his respect to the local Roman governor Festus (Acts 25:13), Festus decided that perhaps Agrippa, being familiar with Jewish law and customs, could help him decide what the charge should be.

Paul was ushered in. Not only was Festus and Agrippa there but “the commanders and the prominent men of the city” (Acts 25:23). What an opportune time to preach the gospel to those who likely would never hear it except for this unusual event. What looked like disaster for Paul became his special forum to preach the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ (an example of God’s providential working). So Paul begins to explain his life, his behavior, his teaching.

He was raised by a Pharisee, the strictest of Jewish sects. He himself thought he ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. So he did. He punished Christians often. He compelled them to blaspheme. He persecuted them even to foreign cities. He was exceedingly enraged against them.

Then something happened that turned his whole life around. While on his way to Damascus the Lord Jesus Christ appeared to him in a vision. In an instant the very one he was denying became a living resurrected reality before his own eyes. A good conscience and honest heart would no longer allow him to deny this living reality. Jesus’ resurrection was real. Jesus was the Christ. Jesus was Savior. Jesus was the Son of God. No sensible person could be disobedient to what was now so obviously true. So he changed – turning his life completely around.

Agrippa was listening, but Festus interrupted accusing Paul of being crazy. No person in their right mind would give up all Paul did just because of some vision he thinks he saw! But Agrippa was listening. “Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian.’ And Paul said, ‘I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains’” (Acts 26:27-29). With that, the Biblical record of the conversion ends. Whether Agrippa ever obeyed we do not know. But what we do know is “that” opportunity had come and gone.

So what about you? Is this your opportunity in time? Do you need to confess that you believe Jesus is the Christ the Son of the Living God (John 8:24; Acts 8:37)? Are you sorrowful, repenting of your sins and determined not to live that way any longer (2 Cor. 7:10)? Are you ready to “arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins” (Acts 22:16)? Don’t be like Agrippa. Remember, “‘Almost cannot avail; ‘Almost’ is but to fail; Sad, sad, that bitter wail – ‘Almost’ – but lost!”