To be almost saved is to be entirely lost

In the year A.D. 62 a well known Roman citizen was thrown into the city jail, because some business people, along with the support of some of the religious leaders, did not like the popularity of his message. Because he was a citizen of Rome he was protected from being abused by the locals. When it became evident that the local leaders were determined to build a false case against him, the prisoner appealed to the justice system to give him his rights as a Roman citizen to have his case heard by the Caesar himself. Therefore the local officials were obligated to submit official charges against him, to accompany him on his trip to be heard by the Caesar. Therefore, the prisoner, Paul, a leader of the Christian movement, was asked to state his defense before King Agrippa and Bernice, who were visiting with the Roman governor, Fetus. The defense of Paul is found in the twenty-sixth chapter of the Book of Acts of the Apostles. I believe you will be greatly impressed by the power of Paul's defense when you read it. At the conclusion King Agrippa said to Paul, "Almost you persuade me to be a Christian." To this statement Paul responded, "I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me this day, were both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains that hinder me."

Once when Philip Bliss was listening to a well known pastor, preaching from this very same text, he was really moved when the pastor said, "He who is almost persuaded is almost saved, but to be almost saved is to be entirely lost." He went home and sat down and wrote the words to what would become a great hymn, which was used frequently in the camp meetings of the great awakening in 19th century. Many unbelievers were moved to step forward and proclaim their faith in Christ once the words of Philip Bliss's great revival hymn touched their hearts:

Almost persuaded now to believe;

Almost persuaded Christ to receive.

Seems now some soul to say, Go, Spirit, go away.

Some more convenient day, On Thee I'll call.

Almost can not avail.

Almost is but to fail.

Sad, sad, that bitter wail;

Almost but lost.

I personally like the affirmation of a man whose life was saved from being "slave trader John," to being "soul winner, Brother John Newton": "Amazing grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I am found, was blind but now I see."