How many different “almost-Christians” are there?
Although the Christian faith stands on the most rational grounds, yet some are only almost persuaded to be Christians, even within the church.For example, a multitude deny many of the very foundational truths of Christianity, such as the satisfaction of Christ (Socinians), the deity of Christ (Arians), or the humanity of Christ (Nestorians). Those who have denied such fundamentals were only “almost persuaded” to be Christians.
Others, though they do not deny Christ’s satisfaction, yet they join their own works and duties together with Christ’s satisfaction as causes of justification before God. So, something is ascribed to Christ, but not all — they are Christians, but only in some part. This is the common opinion and doctrine of the Roman Catholic church, and the practise of many Protestants.
Some reject or embrace the law of Christ to the extent that it makes for or against them. They go about the lesser duties, and if God will be content with what they can spare, they are content to give it Him. But when it comes to the greater duties of the law, or things that have any difficulty attached, they can dispense with these, unless there is something in it for them when they put on a show of doing such things.
Others are only time-servers in religion. They change their faith with the slightest breeze and the most passing current trend. They are led by example and the practice of the multitude in their way, and not by any of the precepts of Christ.
Lastly, some profess Christ but are given up to the common sins and scandalous outbreakings that Christ has so strictly forbidden. “Having eyes full of adultery, their faces inflamed with wine, that declare their sin as Sodom” (2 Pet. 2:14; Isa. 3:9). Such, says the apostle, “profess they know God, but in works they deny him, being reprobate unto every good work” (Tit. 1:16).