Close only counts in horseshoes, hand grenades, lawn darts and nuclear bombs. Try typing in a password that is just one letter off or isn't capped and see if you get into that program or site. Not a chance. The computer doesn't say, "That's close enough," and let you in. Nor does it say, "Nice try. You're close." It just blocks you out. It can be very frustrating, especially after you've tried so many times that it locks you out until a latter time or date.
Just getting close spiritually doesn't cut it either. In today's reading, King Agrippa listened intently to Paul's defense. Festus tells Paul he's nuts. But Agrippa knew exactly what Paul was talking about and what the issues were. I'm sure that we just got the synopsis of what Paul said in his defense but it's enough to see that Agrippa was enthralled with Paul's presentation. As Paul closed, it's interesting to read Agrippa's response to Paul. "You almost made me Christian in such a short time. If I had more time to think about it and investigate it, I might have accepted Christ myself." (Dave's Paraphrase)
The key word is "almost." Unfortunately, almost doesn't cut it. As far as we know, Agrippa never did accept Christ. The question is "why?" Why wouldn't Agrippa make the move. He apparently understood exactly what Paul was saying. He believed Paul was telling the truth about his conversion experience. Yet something held him back from taking the plunge.
Maybe it's the same thing that keeps many of us from jumping headlong into Christ, of living for Him with passionate abandonment for the things of this life. Truthfully, we get so entrenched with our life and circumstance, our wants and our needs, that we can't quite bring ourselves to sell out completely for Christ. We hold back.
For Agrippa I'm sure his position and power had something to do with it. If he accepted Christ it would drastically affect his job and relationships and credibility with his constituents. More than likely he would have had more trouble on his hands as a ruler from the Jewish sector than he knew what to do with. And Rome would not have stood for that. They would have replaced him in a heartbeat.
Peers, position, jobs, friends, family, acclaim, acceptance, fear, manliness or macho-ness often keep us from giving into Christ. So we maybe we give a little here and there to Christ. Maybe we show up at church once in a while, but embracing Christ fully is out of the question. We almost get there, but not quite. After all, who wants to look like a religious nut?
Problem is that Jesus says either you're with me or you're against me. We can't have it both ways. Lukewarmness will get you spewed. Faith is about trust and surrender. God won't put up with two being in charge. He doesn't share the stage with anyone, nor should He. To be a part of His Kingdom, He has to be king. I discovered it takes a real man (or a real woman for that matter) to give yourself to Christ completely. It takes guts. I think that's why Jesus said the road to heaven is narrow and few take it. Not only do we have to stand apart from the world, we have to take a stand against our own selfishness, pride, ego, etc.
God, humility is hard. Even though I realize I'm not perfect and inadequate at so many things, my ego still gets in my way. I want to surrender to you, to trust you completely. Empower me with your Spirit to open myself totally to your will for me. Set me ablaze with the kind of fire Paul had for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment