No Kinda-Sorta

In the corner in Mrs. Smith’s classroom was a yardstick. She mostly used it to point to things on the chalkboard and map. Occasionally, however, she used it to touch things out-of-reach … like misbehaving first graders! One quick little tap with it was most effective!

Kinda-sorta isn’t a measure of God’s. None of us want to own a car that kinda-sort works or a job that kinda-sort pays wages earned. The Prophet Amos wrote, “… the LORD stood upon a wall made by a plumb-line, with a plumb-line in His hand. And the LORD said unto me, Amos, what seest thou? And I said, A plumb-line. Then said the LORD, Behold, I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people … I will not again pass by them any more.” (7:7-8) In Amos’ vision, God held a plumb-line, a line with a weight (plummet) at the end, like masons and bricklayers use to build things straight and true. What God showed Amos was built with exactness and firmness, according to His perfect design. Sin had, however, distorted the wall; it no longer measured up. God is loving and full of mercy but He is also just and does not tolerate sinful disobedience. “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” (Galatians 6:7). We must not foolishly believe because God has blessed this nation, it is a just measure of how pleased He is with us. There exists a standard by which God measures the heart of man, and His plumb-line doesn’t measure kinda-sorta. God holds His followers accountable to live according to His standards: “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.” (Romans 2:13). Thirty-six inches make a yardstick – no more, no less. Righteous are those who hear and do God’s commands – no more, no less! Don’t settle for kinda-sorta living; be ever mindful of what pleases the LORD, and ever faithful to obey!