Acts 26:28-29 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”
Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

This is the third time the story of Paul’s encounter with Jesus is recorded, and each has its differences. The interaction in these two verses is a magnificent declaration of why we should all be bold in proclaiming our own relationship with the Savior. It should never be to inflate us, but rather to persuade our hearers to open their own hearts to receive the grace and love of God. We don’t want people to have our various limitations and problems, indicated here by the chains with which Paul was bound, but we should certainly want everyone to repent and believe for their salvation. We are frankly limited in our capacity to care, at least on a personal level. And we aren’t to accuse ourselves about that. However, in each specific instance, we should desire God’s grace and mercy for the person in front of us. And that includes people we don’t like, and people who are active enemies, just as Paul was experiencing here. We shouldn’t be intimidated by anyone’s social status. Paul was here interacting with King Agrippa! I have thought many times about how different things might have turned out if a genuine Christian had been so bold as to share Christ effectively with the Beatles, for example. They were hungry for spiritual reality, but only found a counterfeit in Hindu mysticism. It would have been so powerful if their musical gifts had been dedicated to the Kingdom of God! Most of us never encounter kings or world-famous performers and the like, but such people are just as in need of salvation as anyone else, and if we know the way, we should share it!

I have never been terribly effective as an evangelist, being gifted instead as a teacher, but I have thankfully never been intimidated by anyone’s status. In my case, it made a difference that my parents were considered “high status,” and we had people coming through our home, and even staying the night, who are currently in the history books. I knew they were as human as I was! At the same time, I had my father’s example of never considering anyone to be beneath him, and that was equally valuable. I want my attitude to be the same as what Paul expresses here, and I honestly think it is. Not everyone should have my various quirks, but I want everyone to know that their Creator loves them enough to send His Son to die for them, so that they may open their heart in repentance and faith for their salvation.

Father, thank You for this reminder. May I be increasingly effective in sharing the grace and truth You have poured out on me, so that others may likewise rejoice in Your goodness, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!