There is a certain self-professing follower of Jesus Christ whose devotion can best be described as kinda. They are the kinda-follower. You know, they kinda want Jesus to be LORD of their life, but also they kinda want to be in control of their own life.
They kinda-want absolute sexual purity but kinda want to toy with their sexuality while asking how far is too far. They kinda want fellowship with fellow believers but kinda want to be accepted wholly by the world. They kinda want to be spiritually mature but kinda want to be worldy secure. They kinda want biblical authority but kinda want the world’s flattery.
They kinda want to know the scriptures but kinda don’t have time to study them. They kinda want to be equally yoked in holy matrimony but kinda want to date the world. They kinda want to be sanctified but kinda want to walk in carnal pleasure. They kinda want God’s blessings but kinda not sure they want God’s life fully.
For the kinda-kind person, life is tough. They insist to follow Jesus on their own terms and conditions and end up battling with the worst spiritual attacks.
Envy: They are often drawing comparison with their unbelieving friends who are “making it” and are often upset at their believing friends who are totally sold out to Christ and experiencing lasting joy.
Delay: They are often in stagnation, just like Lot’s wife- glancing back at Sodom while making slower steps towards the Kingdom of God.
Besetting sins: Their double-mindedness has a pattern to it. Hot today and not feeling it tomorrow. And because they are enslaved to how they feel, besetting sins find great solace in their souls.
Narrow escapes: They are often on the edge of making horrible moral decisions because they love the allure of sin but hate the consequences of it. They are constantly flirting with what they have been delivered from. The narrow escapes soon become guilty indulgences. The guilty indulgences soon become seared consciences. No more narrow escapes.
Making God an enemy: The kinda-kind followers have in essence chosen to play a pendulum with their faith and refuse to be still and to grow. They compel the LORD to constantly call them to stillness. And their stubborn will, like Jonah’s, is constantly fleeing His presence. His pursuit is regarded as enmity and His discipline is regarded as harshness.
“So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly… serve the LORD alone. But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will serve. …destroy the idols among you, and turn your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” (Joshua 24:14a,14c,15a,23b, NLT)
