0524. ELIJAH ON CARMEL;

ELIJAH ON CARMEL;

or, Faith Vindicated, 1Ki_18:19-39

There are only two religions: (1) The Religion of Man; (2) The Religion of God. Man’s religion may have much that is attractive and pleasing to men, but it lacks power and authority. It is a lifeless body. The religion of God is attested as Divine by miraculous fire from Heaven in answer to believing prayer (1Ki_18:37; Act_2:3). We have here-

I. The Religion of Form and its Followers.

1. THEY ARE MANY. "Baal’s prophets are four hundred and fifty" (1Ki_18:22). A depraved religion will always be popular with a depraved humanity (Mat_27:21). The proverb, "Vox populi, vox Dei," is in spiritual matters untrue (Mat_7:13).

2. THEY ARE EARNEST. They cried aloud and cut themselves with knives," etc. (1Ki_18:28). Zeal, but not according to knowledge (Rom_10:3), is like a steam-engine on the wrong track. Good misdirected.

3. THEY ARE DECEIVED. "Neither was there voice, nor any to answer" (1Ki_18:29). The favour and power of God is not to be purchased with self-effort (Tit_3:5; Act_8:20). The fire of the heavenly baptism will not come upon us by leaping upon the altar and cutting ourselves (1Co_13:3), it is by faith (Gal_3:14; Joh_7:38-39).

II. The Religion of God and His Worshippers. It cannot be said of Christians that they worship they know not what (1Jn_5:20).

1. THEY ARE COMPARATIVELY FEW. "I only remain" (1Ki_18:22). Here is but one against four hundred and fifty, but that one is not Elijah, but God, whom Elijah trusted. The battle is the Lord’s (read 1Jn_4:4).

2. THEY ARE DELIBERATELY FAITHFUL. "Come near unto Me." See the calmness of Elijah. No "leaping and cutting" with him. He makes not haste, because he believes in God (Isa_28:16). Oh, for such faith (Jam_5:17).

3. THEY ARE DIVINELY FAVOURED. "Then the fire of the Lord fell" (1Ki_18:38). Our God is a consuming fire. When He comes He consumes the stony heart, and licks up the dust of sin (Mat_3:11-12).

III. The Call of the Prophet for Decision. "How long halt ye between two opinions?" (1Ki_18:21). Notice-

1. THAT THERE ARE TWO OPINIONS. GOD’S AND MAN’S. "My thoughts are not your thoughts, saith the Lord." They are as wide apart as light and darkness. Which do you follow? (See Psa_139:17).

2. THAT THERE ARE MANY WHO HALT BETWEEN THEM. The choice is between the "wisdom of man" and the "wisdom of God" (1Co_1:19-30), between sin unto death and obedience unto righteousness (Rom_6:16).

3. THAT THEY ONLY ARE SAFE WHO DECIDE FOR GOD. When the people saw it they said, "The Lord, He is God," but the prophets were slain at the brook (1Ki_18:39). What are the results of seeing the "goodness and severity of God: at the Cross of Christ?

Autor: James Smith