But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
– James 1:6-8
Like the saying goes, indecision may or may not be my problem.
The world in general has a problem making up their mind. They have an even bigger issue with actually moving from decision to action. That’s why businesses spend so much on marketing. Advertisements are used to make a decision for us. That may be okay when you need a vehicle, can’t decide where to eat or don’t want to dig deep to know which candidate best aligns with your ideals and values. But it doesn’t fly with the Father.
Biblical Christianity is in a league of its own when it comes to the necessity of making a decision. You cannot simply follow the crowd as they follow Jesus. Grandma, though she may try, cannot will you to a spiritual rebirth. Being a good person and doing good things is not the same as believing in your heart and confessing with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.
Indecisiveness is one of the greatest enemies we face. It is to a lukewarm pseudo-Christians as a nice warm bed is to the lazy.
It is a battle so many Christians face on a daily basis without even realizing it. Church attendance can give them a false sense of commitment. The lax theology of American Christianity, as in the production instead of the power, the social instead of the Spirit allows for a false Christian identity. And identity that can just go with the flow, never really taking a stand. On anything! Indecisiveness is at constant war with conviction and each individual is the only one that can determine the winner.
The prime example of indecision we find in Scripture is Nicodemus. On one hand he was so interested in Jesus and His message that he arranged a secret meeting. On the other hand, Nicodemus could not overcome his religious habits and indoctrination that can so easily keep any of us from the Father’s most glorious gift. The result? Nicodemus walked away in a perpetual state of indecision.
To follow Christ is based on a necessary choice, one we have to make. That’s also the beauty of the Father’s plan. We have the opportunity to choose grace, to choose redemption, to choose life. But until we actually make that choice, it only remains a possibility, bogged down and drowning in indecision. It can be a hard choice for many because our very nature fights against it. It is also a costly choice. It’s a choice that requires commitment and is sealed with death, our death.
The harshest of realities is that when it comes to the Father and where you will spend eternity, indecision does not exist. Choosing to accept and follow Christ means life. Not choosing Christ a.k.a. indecision is in fact a denial of the Father’s invitation. And that can only result in separation and death, now and for eternity.
Jason Metz, lead Pastor
