Almost, But Not Quite

by Rolaant McKenzie

"Almost, but not quite" is an English expression used to describe a situation where an expected or desired result is close at hand, but it falls short or fails to reach the target. A tragic example of this occurred when 747 Korean Air Flight 801 took off with 254 flight crew and passengers from Gimpo International Airport in Seoul, South Korea, at 8:53 pm on August 5, 1997, for the nearly 2,000-mile flight to Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport in Guam.

Though the flight experienced some turbulence, it was uneventful until just after 1 am on August 6, as the plane was preparing to land. Heavy rain in Guam caused significantly reduced visibility, so the crew attempted an instrument landing. The flight control tower directed the crew to runway 6L, where the glideslope Instrument Landing System (ILS) would normally emit a signal to help the pilot guide the plane to land. But it was out of service at that time.

At 1:35 am, the pilot mistakenly believed the glideslope was in service because he was picking up a signal, which was later identified as an unrelated electronic device on the ground. The first officer and flight engineer warned that it was not the glideslope and that the plane was descending too steeply, but the pilot continued the approach over their objections. At 1:42 am, just over three miles short of the runway, the aircraft crashed into a hill, killing 229 people onboard. The plane almost made it safely to the airport, but not quite.

During Jesus' earthly ministry, as He healed the sick and the lame and delivered those tormented by demons, He taught about the kingdom of God. The religious authorities of Israel saw Jesus as a threat to their power and authority, so members of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herodians were sent to trap Jesus in His words in order to destroy Him. But Jesus answered them wisely and thwarted their intentions (Mark 12:13-27).

But one of the scribes came forward with a sincere question of his own, after recognizing that Jesus answered them well. He asked what the most important commandment of all was, to which Jesus responded to love God with all one's soul, mind, and strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself (Mark 12:28-31). The scribe acknowledged the truthfulness of what Jesus said and added that it was far more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices. Religious ceremony and devotion are empty unless preceded by love for God and his neighbor (Mark 12:32-33).

Jesus, seeing that the scribe answered with understanding, told him that he was not far from the kingdom of God. But being "not far" from the kingdom of God is not the same as being "in" the kingdom of God. The scribe was almost there, but not quite. All that remained was for him to believe in Jesus and follow Him as the only one who could perfectly fulfill both commands for him. It is hoped that the scribe did not become like those who in their hearts acknowledged Jesus as Messiah but did not want to openly confess Him lest they lose the approval of their peers and be cast out of the synagogue (John 12:42-43). Rather, hopefully he truly trusted in Jesus after His death and resurrection.

The apostle Paul, held prisoner by the Roman authorities at Caesarea awaiting trial (Acts 25-26), was brought there on false accusations by the Jewish religious leaders in Jerusalem. It was hoped that he would be found guilty of the capital offense of sedition, and his preaching of the gospel would be forever silenced. However, Paul saw this situation as an opportunity to testify of Jesus before the Roman governor Festus, King Agrippa, military commanders, and prominent men of the city. Paul made an impassioned, eloquent, and powerful presentation of the gospel, one that convicted the heart of King Agrippa to the point where he said,

"You almost persuade me to become a Christian." (Acts 26:28)

King Agrippa was almost, but not quite, persuaded to believe in Jesus. He was like the people of Israel who almost made it into the Promised Land but, at the border, failed to enter due to their unbelief in God (Numbers 13-14; Hebrews 3:12-19). Almost being in the Promised Land is not the same as actually being in the Promised Land. Likewise, almost entering the kingdom of God through faith in Jesus alone is insufficient. Only actually coming to a place of repentance for one's sins and trusting in Jesus alone brings forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and eternal salvation in His kingdom. While it is hoped that at some point later in his life King Agrippa repented and accepted Jesus, there is no record of this in God's word.

God has made Himself known to humanity through His creation, the works of His hands in heaven and on earth. He has instilled in all the knowledge of His existence, divinity, and eternal power (Acts 17:16-34; Romans 1:18-32). God has revealed Himself in His one and only Son, Jesus (John 1:1-5, 14-18, 3:16-21). Jesus is who He claimed to be, and He has proven this by His perfect life, bloody death on the cross, and resurrection from the dead.

Do not be like the scribe to whom Jesus spoke who was "not far" from the kingdom of God. Do not be like the Roman governor Felix, who listened to Paul's presentation of the gospel message, realized the truth of it in his heart, but failed to repent and believe in Jesus, delaying his decision for a more convenient time that never came (Acts 24:24-27). Do not be like King Agrippa, who was almost, but not quite, persuaded to believe in Jesus.

"Almost" is a very dangerous place to be. It means that you are not there. If you are almost home, then you are not at home. "Almost" is how near? It may as well be a million miles away.

"Almost Persuaded" (1871) is a gospel hymn written by American gospel song composer Philip Paul Bliss (1838-1876), based on the words King Agrippa told Paul in Acts 26:28. He composed this song as a solemn warning to those who would procrastinate in accepting salvation. It was one of Bliss' most effective evangelistic hymns, and it was often used during Dwight L. Moody revivals to encourage the hesitant to repent, accept Jesus as Savior, and commit to Him as Lord.

Almost persuaded now to believe,
Almost persuaded Christ to received
Seems now some soul to say,
"Go, Spirit, go thy way,
Some more convenient day
On thee I'll call."

Almost persuaded, come, come today;
Almost persuaded, turn not away.
Jesus invites you here,
Angels are lingering near,
Prayers rise from hearts so dear:
Oh, wanderer, come!

Almost persuaded, harvest is past!
Almost persuaded, doom comes at last!
Almost cannot avail,
Almost is but to fail,
Sad, sad that bitter wail:
"Almost, but lost!"

If you have heard the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ and are convicted of its veracity, do not stay on the fence, preferring instead to cling to your futile way of life apart from God. There is no such thing as "almost saved." Let not "almost, but not quite" place you with the fearful and unbelieving of Revelation 21:8. Repent of your sins and trust in Jesus and His righteousness alone for complete forgiveness, peace with God, and residence in His eternal kingdom.

"Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon." (Isaiah 55:6-7)