required of thee: then whose shall those
things be, which thou hast provided?
Luke 12:20
A Convenient Season
Ah, Felix! So like many of today--waiting for a "convenient season". Felix heard the gospel of Christ from Paul and trembled at the conviction he felt in his heart. Yet because he wished monetary gain, because he had other goals, he waited for a "convenient season".
It is said the greatest lie Satan ever perpetuated amongst mankind is not, "There is no God". Nor is it, "The Bible is not true." It is not even that "Jesus wasn't divine". It is simply, "Wait."
So many people today are awaiting a "convenient season": they've got too much to do, too many goals to accomplish, they don't have time for "religion" (as they term it) yet. In many of the cases, they know what they are doing is wrong, yet they don't wish to put aside the wrongdoing yet, they haven't gained enough from it yet. They "haven't done all the living they want to do yet."
So many times, we hear the term, "Eat, drink and be merry!" Let's put it back where it came from and see it in its true context, shall we? Jesus told a parable:
And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods...I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. Luke 12:16-19.But now, let's read the rest of it: But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? Luke 12:20.
I want you to understand something very clearly: We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:1, 2. As workers for the Lord, we beg you not to toss aside this marvelous message of God's great kindness. (II Corinthians 6:1, The Living Bible.) For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. (II Corinthians 6:2, The New International Version.)
Ah yes: "Just as soon as I graduate college; just as soon as I make enough money; just as soon as I've had a few years to enjoy life; just as soon as..." A more convenient season.
We get all fired up about the second coming of Christ: "I'll get right before Jesus comes again, for sure!" Except, there are two problems with that. For those who don't know the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, He is going to come as a thief in the night. But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night...But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief. I Thessalonians 5:1,2,4.
But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:37-44.The other problem with "just as soon as..." is: you may not have that long! People are taken from this life every day, and sadly, many go the grave without salvation through Jesus Christ. And as each of us have to work out our own salvation (Philippians 2:12), there is no riding on the coattails of our mother, dad, sister, brother. If the decision for Christ is not made before death, there is no changing it after death. Nor are there enough good deeds or great works to do to earn our way in. And all that material gain we acquired that caused us to put off a decision for Christ? It stays here and gains us nothing in or beyond the grave.
Almost Persuaded
Read the 26th Chapter of Acts. Oh, what an account, as Paul laid open his soul before both Felix and Agrippa. He recounted how he had once done what he thought was right, yet how the Lord Jesus Christ personally corrected his course in life.
And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Acts 26:24-28.I ask you to read the entire 26th Chapter of Acts. Can you picture the look on Paul's face and hear the appeal in his heart? Paul poured himself out before these men. Listen, hear as he said, "I know that thou believest." Can't you feel the Holy Spirit as it spoke through Paul, laying conviction upon their hearts that day? Yet, came back the answer: "Almost. Almost you persuade me..."
With all the love I have in my heart, I beg of you, don't stop at "almost persuaded". Don't let "almost persuaded" be your final answer to the question of eternal salvation. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:26.
I'm not talking about the rituals of religion. I'm speaking to you of salvation through Jesus Christ for your eternal soul. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. John 10:9. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20.
"Almost Persuaded..."
"At A More Convenient Time..."
(all emphasis on scriptures, such as bold, underline or uppercase, is mine)
"Is That Your Final Answer?" Copyright © 2000 by Patricia Sikes.
All Rights Reserved.
by Philip Paul Bliss
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."
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!
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!
If you have been blessed, give God the Glory!
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