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Acts 26
19.02.2011, 15:19

Rev. Tatiana Cantarella


Acts 26:1-32

An almost Christian?

 

There is a well-known National Portrait Gallery in London. Its collection contains portraits of almost all the greatest persons from the history of England. However, I doubt that there are portraits there that deserve the same attention as those that we find in the defense of Paul before the Roman governor of Festus and the Jewish King Agrippa. Today we have three portraits of completely different people, three types of people who to this day we meet everywhere, and whose examples are relevant to each one of us. Times have changed, the fashion changed, the science has moved forward, but the hearts of men in all ages, all the same. Let us become today before the three portraits to learn from them something very important for our life and salvation

 

First, let’s look at Festus, the Roman governor.

            It was him who interrupted Paul's saying: "you are out of your mind, Paul! Much learning does make you mad!" Festus was a Roman gentile, and it is clear from his report to Agrippa that he had little knowledge about Judaism or Christianity. He said: "The Jews had some points of dispute with Paul about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive." (Acts 25:19). As a Roman, who lived in times of decline of the Roman Empire, he treated all religions with equal contempt, all equally true or equally false, equally unworthy of attention. For such as Festus important thing in life was to keep up with the world, to have respect of the people and hold on to what is visible to the eye. To please his "lord” Caesar Augustus - that was all his religion.

 

Festus is a common character these days, isn’t he? Festus is found in every layer of society, they walk the streets, sit with us in the subway cars, and walk around the stores. Very often they are the respectable professionals who perform their duty to society and have a good reputation. But they live as if they had no soul, no thought about what happens when life on earth comes to an end. They do not care about anything except their body: they eat, drink, sleep, dress, earn money and spend it without thinking about any other world that there is besides the one you can see. These people are rarely involved in "spiritual matters". Prayer, Bible reading, or solitude with God is foreign to them and makes no sense. If they end up in church it is only superficially, out of respect for or in order to attend an important event such as a wedding, a baptism or a funeral of a friend.

 

They do not understand the commitment and zeal for religion, which they consider fanaticism. They can be very good people and easy to get along with, unless you try to speak to them about religion. Such are the followers Festus! But these people are a sad bunch, because they remind me of some great ruins that I saw in Albania - a beautiful palace from the outside, huge windows and staircases reminding of what this building once was and what it could be, if its "master" had not left it. But now it's empty, cold, gloomy, crumbling on the inside - because the owner is not there, the Lord and Giver of life does not dwell there. These are the followers of Festus: from the outside are full of intelligence, ability to speak well, good taste, ambition – what kind of people they could be if God took his place in their hearts! But without God, everything is wrong, and the crushing power of disbelief and pride destroys them from the inside even when on the outside they manage to maintain and appearance of some wellbeing. No wonder that Scripture describes unconverted people as "blind - sleeping - lost - or even dead."

 

But thank God that even the followers of Festus are not beyond hope because God continues to move their conscience, like a ringing bell in the night, when the roar of the world fades and one begins to hear God that comes to make all things new. And there are moments in Festus’ lives when they are somehow awake to the existence of another world and realize that they are perishing without God. At times it is such things as sickness, loneliness, frustration, financial loss, death of loved ones humble even the proudest hearts causing them to admit: without God, even a feather is too heavy. While there is life there is hope for Festus, and we continue to pray for them, because even if they began their life as Festus and lived like him, they may confess, repent, and finish well.

 

And then we see another portrait – Agrippa, the king of the Jews.

Paul’s words and testimony made such a strong impression on him, yet he replied: "You almost convinced me to become a Christian!" Almost. And Paul replied: "Almost? I pray to God that not only you but also all that hear me this day will become just like me - not chained but Christians and not "almost” but fully”.

 

Agrippa was not like Festus at all. He was of Jewish decent and knew a lot of things that the gentile Festus didn’t. That's why Paul directs his speech at him - Agrippa knows what Scriptures say and believes the prophets and the promises of God. Somewhere deep inside he realizes that truth is on Paul’s side. Agrippa saw, felt, was touched by what Paul said and his heart desired that truth. He sympathized with Paul and yet he did not make a decisive step to accept the Good News. He was not far from the kingdom of God but still remained on the outside. He neither condemned nor ridiculed Christianity, but he did not accept Christ. He could only look and examine it but was not ready to lay hold of it and receive it into his heart.

 

How many professing Christians today are like Agrippa!? They are found in churches, they regularly participate in worship and the Lord's Supper. They do not doubt the truth of the Bible and do not question the Good News. They have great respect for righteous people, read good books, and donate money for good causes. But, unfortunately, they did not cross the important line in their religion. They never come out boldly on Christ’s side, nor carry their cross. They do not profess Christ before men, and do not give up petty inconsistencies. They often say that they want, intend and hope that one day they will become true Christians. They know that now they are not who they should be and hope to change someday. But the "convenient season” never seems to come. And with their desires and intentions, they go off the stage. Wanting and intending they live and wanting and intending they die - not such bad people, not enemies but friends of Paul - but as Agrippa, only "almost Christians" who have never really tasted what salvation is all about.

 

How can people know so much about God and religion and yet not make the decisive step to salvation? How can a person see the light but not follow it to eternal life? How can human mind and consciousness advance so much towards Christianity while the heart lags behind so much and remains unchanged? There is more than one answer to these questions.

 

Many people are kept back by fear of man; fear of being ridiculed or laughed at by others if they decide to devote their life completely to Christ. They are afraid to lose respect in the eyes of people just like John wrote: "They loved the praise of men more than the glory of God" (John 12:43). The others are held back by the love of the world. They understand that giving one’s life Christ entails removal of many earthly pleasures and things that are displeasing to God. But they do not want to give up anything. Like Lot's wife they want to be saved from the wrath of God, but just like her they could not help but "look back”, still desiring what was being left behind (Gen. 19:26). Others are kept by their subtle form of self-righteousness. They console themselves that at least they are not as bad as Festus or other people. They are not against religion; they go to church, admiring earnest people like Paul. Surely, they will not be lost because of their few inconsistencies? Yet others are held by some secret sin. Some historians believe that Bernice who came to Caesarea with Agrippa was his sister with whom he had an incestuous relationship. Very often, people know deep inside that they are clinging to something that displeases God, to something that will not stand the test of light if you bring it out. And yet they do not want to let it go and therefore cannot become fully Christ’s. They do not deny Christ but until they awaken and throw off their chains they are on their way to ruin.

 

Perhaps many Agrippas are hearing those words today but will they understand that their "almost Christianity” is a very dangerous thing? They desire and intend and hope but never take the step of salvation in Christ. "An almost Christian" is like painted cork, which may help you stay on the surface for a while but will not help you resist the stream which is taking you towards Niagara Falls! And, truthfully, being "almost a Christian” you'll never be truly happy. You know too much about God to be happy in the world. And you are too deeply involved with this world to have true comfort in God and faith. "Almost Christians" are the most miserable people in the world - they're neither happy in world, nor in the church. But the Lord is calling the "almost Christians" now to wake up and see the danger and fallacy of such a life. In everyday life no one in their right mind would settle for things that are "almost": an almost safe aircraft, an almost patched boat in the ocean, an almost certified surgeon! Yet so many are still content with their "almost Christianity. Decide today with God's help, decide to burn all bridges behind you and make that final decisive step of commitment. Because contrary to your illusions life of "almost Christians" is never safe or happy!

 

But thank God that we have before us another picture – that of Paul who longed for all his listeners to be just as he was but without chains. He wanted them to share his hope, his world, his firm confidence, comfort and anticipation of the future. Paul met Christ and became a person who let go of all doubts and hesitations, who holds onto truth with both hands and not with finger and thumb. These are the words of a man who wrote: "I know whom I have believed, and am confident that he is able to keep me from falling" (2 Tim. 1:12). He firmly believed the truth that in Christ God came in the flesh, performed miracles that could not be denied, died but rose again to transform and bring all who believe in Him home. Paul does not just believe in these postulates as true, he was ready to die for that truth. Paul knew that he was a changed person by the power of the Holy Spirit and that life of holiness and commitment to Christ is the wisest and the happiest life for people. He firmly knew that God's favor is a thousand times sweeter than any human respect and nothing is too much to do for the One who loves you so much that he died for you. Paul was convinced of the reality of the world to come and that everything in this world will pass, including the praise of men. But the treasures stored up in heaven will not be taken by any Festus or Caesar even if they take his life.

 

That is what Paul desired for his audience - not to be "almost", but completely Christ’s. And fewer people prefer it to the "almost Christian", because "the narrow path that leads to life, and not many choose it" (Matt. 7:14). Yes, Festus’ and Agrippas are everywhere, and those like Paul are harder to find. But one thing is true - that these few are "salt of the earth" and "light of the world", they are the crown of the Church through which the church still stands uprightly. Without these Christians the Church would not be the Body of Christ but a decaying carcass, snow-white lighthouse without a light, a steam engine without fire and the golden candlestick without a candle to the joy of the devil and an offence to God. But it is these fewer people who are shaking the world and leave an indelible mark behind them because they were not "almost" but "fully" Christ’s. Only such people truly enjoy their faith and find consolation in it. Like Paul and Silas they can sing praises to God even in prison, can sleep quietly on their very deathbed. Their faith gives them an incredible inner peace, which does not depend on earthly troubles and causes enemies to wonder. "An almost Christian" does not find comfort in their religion; only "fully Christian" people have that peace that nothing and nobody can take away. Friends, do not settle for "almost Christianity" as Agrippa did but pray, thirst, and do not give up until the Lord gives you courage and strength to make that step to be "fully His."

 

And thank God that although Paul's long gone, the Savior who changed his life and kept it to the end lives and acts even now, always ready to save and always ready to accept. Let us turn over a new page in our lives, let us stand up and start with Christ if we have not done so yet. With God's grace everything is possible. Who would have thought that Saul - the Pharisee and persecutor of Christians - will become as fully "Christian" as one can be and the great apostle to the Gentiles who turned the world upside down? Is your stand before God like that of Festus or like that of Agrippa? The Savior is calling you today to leave behind all that perishes together with this world and to accept Christ who alone will stand forever. Take hold of Christ not "almost", not with a finger and a thumb but completely, with both hands. Only then will life be truly joyful and truly safe.

 

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