396. 1KI 18:21. AN APPEAL TO THE UNDECIDED

1Ki_18:21. An Appeal to the Undecided

"How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow him."’971Ki_18:21

Notice the wicked state of Israel; the king, the patron of idolatry. God’s judgments in the famine, &c.; the appearance of Elijah; the solemn trial of idolatry on Mount Carmel; Elijah’s powerful appeal "How long," &c. Notice,

I. The Evil referred to.

II. The Appeal made. And,

III. The Course recommended.

I. The Evil referred to.

It is "halting between two opinions." In other words, it is indecision. Three classes of character are not included.

(1) The openly skeptical and profane. These bear the mark of the beast, &c.; make no pretensions to religion: many of them hate it, oppose it, persecute it.

(2) The decidedly sincere. Many grades in this class. Some very zealous, and useful, and spiritually great. Others feeble and weak. Sincerity is the test; and where such aim at loving and serving God in truth, God owns them, and blesses them as his people. There are,

(3) Those who are earnestly seeking God. Who are in an awakened condition; who are standing in the way, and inquiring for the good old paths, &c. Like the jailer, praying, "What must we do," &c. The undecided are those,

1. Who are found generally among the people of God, and are yet not of them.

Many, from educational influence; others, from the fears of conscience, cannot neglect the house and ordinances of God. Yet, they are merely hearers of the word. They hunger and thirst not after spiritual things, and thus "halt between two opinions."

2. There are those who avoid open impiety, and yet do not sincerely serve God.

Their souls would be horrified at being notoriously wicked. Yet God has not the heart. They are not spiritually-minded. Never felt their sins to be their burden, &c.

3. There are those who try to unite the world and the church, God and Mammon.

They call themselves industrious, prudent, &c. The truth is, their hearts are set upon the world. They love gold; and they are intent upon increasing in riches. But with this, they would be found in the company of the pious; and they wish their temporal respectability to give them influence in the church of God.

4. There are those who labor to unite works and grace in effecting their salvation.

Do not trust in either fully. But in both partially.

5. There are those who privately, but not publicly, profess Christ.

For fear of the cross, the reproach, the trials, &c., of open Christianity. Observe, then,

II. The Appeal made.

"How long halt ye," &c. Is not this indecision,

1. Highly offensive to God?

His first great commandment is, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God," &c. He requires the heart. He will have no compeer, no rival. To the formal, he says, "I would that thou wert," &c.

2. Is it not injurious to the interests of religion?

It will be a refuge of lies to which others will resort. A stumbling-stone to the sincere seekers of salvation. It will give countenance to indifference, and to formality. It is an infectious lethargy.

3. Is it not pernicious to the soul?

You can have no assurance of God’s love. Therefore, no peace of mind; no holy joy; no pacific retrospect; no hopeful prospect. Like a man wandering in an uncertain maze; like a mariner without helm, &c., tossed hither and thither.

4. Will it not be ruinous in its consequences?

You have neither title or fitness for heaven. Think of the tares among the wheat. The man without a wedding garment. The foolish virgins. Consider these subjects, and behold your sure and inevitable doom. Notice, then,

III. The Course recommended.

"If the Lord be God," &c. You do not deny the existence and supreme claims of God. You know that he is your Creator Preserver, Redeemer, Judge. His claims are numerous, and irresistible. Then obey the text, "And follow him."

1. Give him the homage and service he demands.

Consecrate yourselves. "I beseech you," &c. Give him your whole heart.

2. Do this in the appointed way.

Christ is the way. No access to God but by him. One God, and one Mediator, and you must trust entirely in his merits.

3. Ally yourself publicly to his cause.

Follow him visibly. "Whoso shall confess," &c. Who is on the Lord’s side? Let us go without the camp, &c.

4. Let all this have your present attention.

"How long," &c. Time is flying. Death is hasting. The Judge is at the door. "Whatsoever thy hand," &c.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS