Someone has said that “almost” only counts in horseshoes, meaning that they scored by “almost” hitting the mark. However, in reality they missed! The word “almost” means “very nearly”, “not quite.” In light of this we may conclude that to come close to the target, or “almost” hit it, means to completely miss the mark. Almost, but not quite.
There is a true story about a man who was “almost” saved; he was close, but not quite. The man to whom I refer was a king by the name of Herod Agrippa. Standing before Herod Agrippa was the world’s greatest missionary, the Apostle Paul. As the Apostle Paul stood before this great king and told of how he had been saved from a life of sin to serve the living God, the heart of Herod Agrippa was stirred deeply. The king had been moved by what he heard and apparently came close to becoming a Christian, for we read in Acts 26:28, “Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” Almost — but not quite. King Agrippa came so close to being saved, and yet was so far away. Almost saved, but totally lost!
Many people who “plan” to receive Christ as their personal Saviour at 10 o’clock die at 9 o’clock. They were “almost” saved, but not quite. You see, my friend, there is no “almost” in salvation. Until a sinner has definitely accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour, he has definitely rejected Him. I heard of a man who said that he was just about ready to be saved; he was about seventy-five percent of the way there. “Almost” saved, but not quite.
Some of you who read this gospel tract will undoubtedly say, “I’ll get saved someday”, or “I’ll have to think about it first.” You may have the best intentions, but until you have definitely accepted Jesus Christ as Saviour, you have definitely rejected Him. “Almost” saved, but not quite. In II Corinthians 6:2 we read that, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” My friend, you have no guarantee of tomorrow; it may not come.
Dear friend, if you have never received Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, I urge you to do so today, this very moment! Why do you need to be saved? Please allow me to briefly explain. Of all the people born on this earth, none are within themselves righteous or good (Romans 3:10-12). “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23).
As a result, our just reward is death (spiritual, eternal separation from God in hell). Those who have not received Christ as Saviour are this very moment under God’s wrath (John 3:36) and already condemned(John 3:18). They are just as good as in hell as if they were there already!
What must you do to be saved? Right now, wherever you are, you can be saved. All you have to do is bow your head and pray a prayer similar to this: “Dear Lord, be merciful to me a sinner. I acknowledge before you, Jesus, that I have sinned, and I do now repent and ask for your forgiveness. I invite Jesus Christ to come into my heart as my Saviour, for it’s in His name I pray. Amen!” If you will do this, meaning it from your heart, then according to God’s Word you will be saved for all eternity (I John 5:11-13).
Salvation is possible because God loves us (Romans 5:8) and does not want any person to go to hell (II Peter 3:9). That is why Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary. He secured our salvation by shedding His blood which washed away our sins (Hebrews 9:11-14).
My friend, will you be like Herod Agrippa and be “almost” saved, but totally lost? Or will you this moment receive Jesus Christ as personal Saviour. I urge you! I plead with you! Accept Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour and be “completely” saved for all eternity.
– Richard A. Ciarrocca
——————————————-
This tract is available for a contribution of $2.00 per 100 plus postage.
This tract is available in the following languages:
- English
- French