Almost

Bible Reading: Acts 26:1-2, 22-23, 27-29; 1 John 5:12-13

David turned off his alarm clock and stretched. Sunday morning’s message still bothered him. Pastor Hill had stressed every person’s need to trust Jesus as their Savior, and David had almost decided to talk to the pastor or his dad about it. Maybe I should have, he thought, but…oh well, I’m almost sure I’m saved anyway. He shook the thoughts from his mind. Right now he had other things to think about—like baseball, for instance. David was shortstop for the Lions, and today they were playing the Bears for the city-wide championship.

Soon it was time for the game to begin, and both teams were eager to win. As the game progressed, it became obvious they were well matched. First the Lions were ahead, then the Bears, and then the Lions went ahead again. Unfortunately for David and his teammates, the Bears scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning and won the championship.

“That was a great game!” Dad said as they drove home. “You played very well.”

“A great game?” David shook his head. “We lost!”

“You ended up as the second-place team in the whole city. You should feel good about that,” said Dad.

“Yeah,” his sister agreed. “Your team almost won!”

“Well, almost isn’t enough!” David replied. “We still lost.”

“I guess I can understand how you feel,” Dad said, giving him a thoughtful look. “In fact, your game reminds me of the message we heard on Sunday.”

“Really? How?” David asked, curious since he had been thinking about Pastor Hill’s sermon that morning.

“I was thinking of King Agrippa’s answer to the apostle Paul in the Bible story Pastor Hill read. When Paul told him Jesus died and rose again so we could be saved, King Agrippa replied, ‘You almost persuade me to become a Christian.’ And you’re right, David. Almost isn’t enough—not in winning baseball games or in getting saved.”

David was startled. He was almost certain he was saved—but what if he wasn’t? He’d thought about talking to someone about it on Sunday. Now he knew he shouldn’t put it off any longer. Being almost sure he was a Christian wasn’t enough.

“Uh, Dad? Can we talk when we get home?” he asked. “I have to make sure about something.” -Lucinda J. Rollings

How About You?

Are you almost sure you’re a Christian? Almost isn’t good enough. Make sure right now. Check out “Have You Heard the Good News?” on page 102. If you need help understanding what trusting Jesus as your Savior means, talk with a parent, teacher, or other Christian adult. Don’t wait any longer. Trust Jesus today and know you are truly saved.

Today’s Key Verse:
Acts 26:28 Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Trust Jesus today