Almost and Altogether Christians?

Most  “Almost” and “Altogether” Methodist clergy persons have echoed John Wesley’s sermon (which he preached at St. Mary’s, Oxford in 1741) called The Almost Christian.  Wesley’s scriptural text for his sermon was The Acts of the Apostles, 26:28.  In this story the Apostle Paul has shared with King Agrippa the message of Christ—and King Agrippa responds:  “Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”  “And many there are who go thus far,” responds Wesley in the opening words of his sermon, “ever since the Christian religion was in the world, there have been many in every age and nation who were almost persuaded to be Christians.  But seeing it avails nothing before God to go only thus far, it highly imports us to consider, First, What is implied in being almost. Secondly:  What in being altogether, a Christian.”

I recently noted a Christian Bookstore logo:  “Everything Christian for less.”  I suppose that might be what an “Almost” Christian could be—one who has yet to put his or her full weight down—who takes on everything “Christian” for less than what it actually costs? (Bonhoeffer’s “cheap grace” comes to mind).  On the other hand, is there anyone, anywhere, in this broken world, who is an “Altogether” Christian?     I’m assuming an “Altogether” Christian would be one who is completely, totally, entirely, absolutely, wholly, unqualifiedly, whole-heartedly and lock, stock and barrel, Christian.  I don’t know of any, nor have I ever known any of this sort, though I have been told by some that they are “Altogether.” (I’m thinking such arrogance alone would probably remove that person from the “Altogether” category). Of course, I haven’t defined, nor have many other people been able to define (though a host of people, including John Wesley,  and every clergy person, including me, who has echoed his sermon, The Almost Christian, have tried to do so) what a Christian is exactly, let alone what or who is Almost and what and who is Altogether (though many lay claim to having succinctly defined both what a Christian is—and what is an Almost one, and what is an Altogether one.)  Those who make such claims believe, of course, that they are the “Altogether” Christians.

One simple definition of a Christian person would be a person who follows in Jesus’ footsteps—a disciple.  If you’ve read about the first disciples, you’ll quickly see that almost all of them were “Almost” types, though every once in a while they thought they  were “Altogether.”  (I wonder if “disciple” really means “almost” and the term “apostle” really means altogether?)

You know, just by using the category of “almost” and “altogether” I think I’ve stumbled in my attempt to follow Jesus today.  He shunned no one (no labels, no categories, no winners, no losers) and dies for all though none be worthy, not even one (including me)!  

"Out of the depths have I called to thee, O Lord;
Let thy ears be attentive to my plea...
For in the Lord is  love unfailing...
He alone can set me free..." (Ps 130)