Preached at St. Mary’s, Oxford, Before the University on July 25, 1741
“Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” — Acts 26:28
Many people come close to becoming Christians. Throughout history, in every age and nation, there have been people who were almost convinced to follow Christ. However, being almost a Christian doesn't mean anything in God's eyes, so it is crucial for us to reflect on:
First, being "almost a Christian" involves a sense of basic honesty and morality, even among non-Christians. This includes:
In their writings, even ancient non-Christian philosophers advocated for these principles, and many ordinary people practiced them. At the very least, this was the standard of decency among non-Christians—what we might call "heathen honesty."
In addition to being fair, people also expected others to value truth. They condemned anyone who lied under oath or spread false accusations. Lying was seen as disgraceful, harmful to society, and something no decent person would do.
Non-Christians also recognized the importance of helping each other. They believed that you should offer help to others when it doesn't harm you and, if possible, provide food, clothing, or other necessities to those in need.
This basic level of kindness, along with honesty, is part of what it means to be almost a Christian.
The next step toward being almost a Christian is outwardly following religious practices. For example, a person might:
Someone who is almost a Christian will also do good for others, not only in small ways but also by sacrificing time and effort to benefit others. They will serve both friends and enemies, doing whatever good they can.
Those who are almost Christians will also regularly participate in religious practices, such as attending church, family prayers, and private prayer. They may be very disciplined and sincere in their outward behavior, which gives the appearance of godliness.
However, sincerity is what truly defines someone who is almost a Christian. This means having a genuine inward desire to please God, to live a life that is in line with His will. Without this sincerity, even the most outwardly religious person is no better than a hypocrite. A person who does good deeds only to avoid punishment or to gain approval is not truly seeking to please God.
So, being almost a Christian involves not just outward actions but also a sincere intention to serve God in everything.
To be altogether a Christian means, first and foremost, to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. This kind of love takes up every part of your being, making God the source of your joy and your greatest desire. A true Christian’s spirit continually rejoices in God, giving thanks for everything and desiring nothing more than to be close to Him. They are "crucified to the world"—meaning, worldly desires no longer control them because they find everything they need in God alone.
The second mark of a true Christian is love for others. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and this applies to everyone, even our enemies. A true Christian loves others with the same sacrificial love that Jesus showed for us. This love is patient, kind, and forgiving. It doesn’t seek its own gain but looks for the good of others, even when it's difficult.
Faith is the foundation of being a true Christian. The Bible tells us that everyone who believes in Jesus is born of God and has eternal life. This is not just intellectual belief, but a faith that changes your heart and life. True faith leads to repentance, love, and good works. It purifies the heart, removes pride and anger, and fills it with love for God and others. This faith drives a person to live for God’s glory, even in the face of suffering and hardship.
It's possible to live with outward honesty and morality, participate in religious practices, and even have good intentions without truly being a Christian. The question is whether you love God with all your heart and love others as Christ loved you. Do you have the kind of faith that transforms your life?
Many people fall short of even basic standards of goodness and have not yet experienced what it means to be truly devoted to God. But even good intentions and desires are not enough to make you a Christian. The key is whether you truly know and love God, whether you are filled with His love, and whether you live out that love in your actions.
The only way to be altogether a Christian is to have a heart transformed by the love of God and faith in Jesus Christ. If you have not yet experienced this, now is the time to seek it. Pray to God with all your heart, asking Him to reveal Himself to you and fill your heart with His love. Don't rest until you know you are truly and fully a Christian.
May we all come to experience this transformation, being not just almost but altogether Christians, rejoicing in the hope of God's glory and filled with His love through the Holy Spirit.
