Do we have this determination?

 

Act 26:28  Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 

Act 26:29  And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. 

We use this a lot, but the differences between us and Paul are exceptional. 

Paul was in chains, speaking to the rulers of the land about Christ. His life is already forfeit, he knows his ultimate end is death yet he is using his witness to get to the highest authority in the land, knowing it will be his death.

Notice what he says in response to Agrippa, I wish all who heard me at this moment would believe. He believes so much in what he is living and dying for that he is preaching to any and all in the hopes that they might come to a saving knowledge of Christ.

Paul, knowing it meant certain death still stayed true to the path God had laid out for him.

He got a little down and a little depressed sure, but he stayed true and faithful to what God required of him.

Not only did he witness in Word and in Deed, he also checked up on the ministries he had started, he stayed up to date on all the things God had given into his hand.

He was in bonds, chains, surrounded by criminals, jailers, crooks, soldiers, politicians and he stayed true, he stayed busy.

Most of us can not be bothered to go to church let alone live a lifestyle of faithful testimony because of our freedom.

I know we are in a different day and time, yet Paul did not leave it to anyone else to get the job done. He did it himself and he made sure those he put in charge stayed in place and stayed true.

Is this the drive we have? is this our goal? Do we have the same goal? Can we claim this kind of faithfulness?

Paul wanted all who heard him to hear and accept it. Almost Agrippa was persuaded, we do not know if he ever got another chance to accept the gospel. We do not know if the seed planted ever came to fruition.

We know Paul was true, and he preached every step of the way until the headsman's block.

Do we have the same drive? Do we have half that drive?