DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- ALMOST A CHRISTIAN

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – ALMOST A CHRISTIAN

"Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, 'You are not far from the kingdom of God.' But after that one one dared question him." (Mark 12:34)

We often lump people together under labels. We stereotype people. Like, "Pharisee." When we hear that word, an image pops into our mind of a pompous, proud, hypocritical person who wanted people to know how good and righteous he was. But here was a Pharisee who did not fit the mold. He apparently was an earnest and sincere person who actually wanted to know the truth. He was like another Pharisee, Nicodemus, who came to Jesus by night asking questions (John 3).

This man perceived that Jesus answered his questioners well. So he asked Jesus what the foremost or premier commandment was. Jesus answered him, " 'The first of all the commandments is: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our god, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." There is no other commandment greater than these' " (vss. 29-31).

The Pharisee said to Jesus, " 'Well said. You have spoken the truth.' " He showed that he understood what Jesus said by adding that these commandments were greater than offering sacrifices – that is, doing the religious ceremonies. Jesus saw that this man grasped the truth, and declared that he was not far from being a Believer.

Scripture does not tell us what happened to this man. Did he become a follower of Jesus? Did he take the step to become a true disciple? We don't know. But the fact is that knowledge can bring a person close to being a Christian, but it is not the clincher. It takes a step of faith to go beyond knowing to actually putting one's faith in Christ for salvation.

The Apostle Paul ran into this scenario. The historical account is found in Acts chapter 28. Paul was giving his personal witness to King Agrippa and declaring the Gospel – that Jesus would suffer, and rise from the dead. Then he pointedly asked King Agrippa, "Do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe." He answered Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian" (Acts 26:28). King Agrippa had the knowledge and even believed, but he was not ready to take the step of accepting Christ. He was not far from faith. Almost – not far – but not quite.

I suspect that there are many people we come in contact with who know about Jesus – they know, and may even believe that He lived, and died, and rose again – but they have never taken the step of faith to put their whole trust in Him for salvation – that He died to pay for their own sins. Becoming a true authentic follower of Jesus is more than just knowing about Him. To truly be His disciples means fully accepting Him as our only Savior and committing our of our lives to Him..

Remember, close only counts in horseshoes.

Love, Dad