Persuaded?
by Jonathan Krause
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Then Agrippa said to Paul, ‘Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?’ (Acts 26:28)
Read Acts 26:24 – 27:8
Do you ever get scared of your phone?
Especially around five in the afternoon, when a strange number pops up on your screen. Or rings and rings on the landline while you’re trying to get dinner ready.
You know it will be someone who wants to sell you something.
They pretend they have a connection with you by mentioning your power bill or credit card or a deal too good to be true that they don’t want you to miss out on.
If you make the mistake of being polite and then give them the chance to continue, your next 10 minutes are lost. They have a script with a tailored answer for any question or comment you might make. They pretend they’re your friend, and you’d like to believe them … but, in the end, you know they’re only out to make a profit from you.
They’re trying to persuade you to buy something you don’t want … or didn’t want until they convinced you that you did – or desperately needed it or would be left behind if you didn’t have it.
Do you find it interesting that King Agrippa suggests that if Paul had more than a ‘short time’, perhaps Agrippa could be won with words?
Paul is a brilliant orator, so perhaps he could.
For me, I’ve always understood faith to be the gift of God through the Holy Spirit. Faith may come in a flash (perhaps in a blinding light like it did with Paul himself) … or it may take a lifetime. A death bed. A tragedy. The good news through the bad news.
So, I don’t think I can write anything in these devotions that will persuade anyone of anything.
All I can do is share my experience and journey and pray the Spirit may use that to touch someone – or may not.
What do you think? Persuaded?
Lord, today, I open my heart to you. Lay myself bare. Stop my talking so I can hear whatever you want to share with me and follow wherever you want to lead. I’m in your hands. Amen.
Jonathan lives south of Adelaide with his wife Julie. Blessed by children and grandchildren, Jonathan enjoys reading and writing, walking by the beach and watching Collingwood win. Author of many devotion books, Jonathan is the Community Action Manager for Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS).
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