Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
To come close to something or an experience but feel like it’s still far is a test we all face. This happens to me many times when I evangelize, there are people who seem to be close but in reality still far, very raw. My youngest brother Jeff at some point 12 years ago, seemed close but it took another 2 years before his conversion. He was convinced but not converted.
For those who appear close, we are often tempted to want to close the deal, ask them to say “the sinner’s prayer” and proclaim them believers. I see this many times when reports are given of hundreds or thousands of people making decisions to follow Christ through crusades, meetings etc. And my first thought, how was the gospel presented and how many of those are truly saved (saved by God). Could it be possible that we are dealing with “almost” persuaded, meaning people convinced but not changed/converted? Statistics indicates that 80-90% of those who make a profession of faith fall away, and on the other hand, “What a heart break it would be to live an “almost” Christian life, then “almost” get into heaven.” (Greg Laurie).
2 replies on “Convinced Is Not Equivalent To Conversion, Part 1”
And this confirms to me that we are saved by Grace. What a lesson.
Many think they had sometime to do with their salvation