Almost Saved

Salvation is our choice. We decide to be saved or to be lost. Also to be almost saved is our decision. If it would be left to God to decide, everyone would be saved.

Of those that are almost saved the majority know that they are not perfect. They are believers. They know the truth, but have some sins left in their lives, some small indulgences or neglected duties. They think that suddenly, just before the end they will put these little sins away and be perfect.

But they do not realize that the Lord will come upon them in judgment silently as a thief in the night while they are peacefully sleeping; and they will be found wanting, and eternally lost. With many of them, it may have been only one thing lacking.

To many religion is hard and boring. To have enjoyment in life they need something from the world. They do not enjoy Bible reading, neither missionary work, but they must be in the church and practice religion in order to get eternal life. They do not love God, neither have they hunger nor thirst for righteousness.

Sister White writes, “They do not make an entire surrender of their wrong habits. They do not die to self that Christ may live in them.

Therefore they do not find the precious pearl. They have not overcome unholy ambition and their love for worldly attractions. They do not take up the cross and follow Christ in the path of self-denial and sacrifice. Almost Christians, yet not fully Christians, they seem near the kingdom of heaven, but they cannot enter there. Almost but not wholly saved, means to be not almost but wholly lost.” C.O.L. p. 118

Some have a conviction of the truth and are almost saved when listening to the word of God and to the invitation to repent, but then they make a decision against it, or decide to put it off till later. They were very close to salvation, but then suddenly are left alone by the Spirit of God, never to hear another invitation.

This happened to Felix, the Roman Governor. He listened to the solemn words of Paul. He was deeply moved and had a conviction of the truth. But he decided to leave it to a later time.

“A ray of light from heaven had been pc’i-nitted to shine upon Felix, when Paul reasoned with him concerning righteousness, temperance, and a judgment to come. That was a heaven-sent opportunity to see and to forsake his sins. But he said to the messenger of God, ‘Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.’ He had slighted his last offer of mercy. Never was he to receive another call from God.” A.A. p. 427

The Holy Spirit was striving with Pilate. Jesus spoke to him. His wife gave a warning message to him. He could have chosen the truth and released Jesus. But from a human weakness he decided to condemn Jesus to please the Jews. By this act he sealed his eternal destiny. Never anymore did he hear an invitation of mercy, and soon after he ended his own life. He was close to salvation but lost it by his own decision.

Judas was almost saved. He had been in the company of Jesus three and a half years. Often he admired Jesus and His character. He wanted to be like Jesus. Even when Jesus washed his feet the Holy Spirit was striving with Judas. “The constraining power of that love was felt by Judas. When the Saviour’s hands were bathing those soiled feet, and wiping them with a towel, the heart of Judas thrilled through and through with the impulse then and there to confess his sin.” D.A. p. 645

So close was he to salvation. If he had only followed his impulse at that moment, to confess he could have remained as a disciple and continued faithful to the end. But that moment he made a wrong decision to betray Jesus and his salvation was lost forever. Millions have made similar mistakes. Being almost saved, but from human weakness like Pilate, from covetousness like Judas, from hesitation, like Felix they make a wrong decision and lose their chance of salvation
forever.

Some remain in the condition of being almost saved for a long time. After many years in the church they still have faults in their characters. They still have sins that they have not put away. They are trusting that God will wink at their small sins while they do obey in greater points. This is what Satan wants.

They remain in the church of God as Achans. They are stumbling blocks to others and in the end are lost as the foolish virgins. A lukewarm Christian is not saved. He is close to salvation, but completely lost in his blind condition. Never has God’s people had so much light and knowledge as the church of God today, yet never has the spiritual condition been so deplorable, and hypocritical as now.

Every person in the world could be saved. God is calling all to repentance and to salvation, but so few respond. Somewhere in their lives they made a wrong decision and because of it they lost the eternal life and heaven.

The most miserable people in the world are the Christians who are almost saved. They do not enjoy all the pleasures of the world neither have they joy in the Lord. Let us all examine ourselves to find out what may be still lacking in our spiritual life, and make sure that we are not almost saved but fully saved and then continue faithful to the end.

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.
AMEN

Timo Martin