1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came to all the people, and said, How long halt you between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal… In regard to the state of things existing at that time in Israel, we may remark — (1) That a large portion of the nation was decidedly inclined to the worship of Baal. (2) There were some who were as decidedly the friends of Jehovah. They were indeed few in number. (3) There was another, and evidently a large class, that was undecided. This was the class which Elijah particularly addressed in the text. The doctrine which is, therefore, taught in this passage, is the unreasonableness of indecision on the subject of religion. In discoursing on it, my object will be, I. TO CLASSIFY THOSE WHO ARE THUS UNDECIDED. 1. Those who are thus undecided may be regarded as comprising the following classes. (1) Those who are undecided about the truth or reality of religion at all, or of any system of religion. They embrace no system; they make no pretensions to any religion. They are lookers-on in the world, and observers of the various forms and systems of worship, professing liberality to all, and manifesting a preference for none. (2) A second class is composed of those who hesitate between Christianity and infidelity. (3) There are those, as a third class, who are awakened to see their guilt, and who are hesitating about giving up their hearts to God. They see that they are sinners. (4) A fourth class is made up of those who are constantly forming resolutions to attend to the subject of religion, and to become decided Christians. (5) A fifth class is made up of those who are undecided about making a profession of religion. That it is a duty they feel and admit; and it is a duty which they often purpose to perform. II. REASONS WHY A DECISION SHOULD BE MADE WITHOUT DELAY. (1) The first is, that our great interests, if we have any great interests, or any that are much worth regarding, are on the subject of religion. If this be so, then religion is the last thing that should remain unsettled anti undetermined. (2) You would suffer no other matter to remain undecided as this does. If you are sick, you leave no means untried to secure returning health. If you were in as much danger of becoming a bankrupt as you are of losing the soul, you would give yourself no rest until, if possible, you should feel yourself safe. (3) It is possible to come to a decision on this subject; and if possible, an affair of so much importance should not remain undecided. (4) The things about which a man is to decide are few in number, and may easily be determined. In our text, it was a simple choice which was to be made. There were but two objects before the mind, and the call was to determine which of them was to be acknowledged as God. So it is still. (5) This state of mind must be one that is infinitely displeasing to God. (6) You will never be in circumstances more favourable for a decision than the present. (7) I add but one other consideration. The present is the only time which you may have to decide this point. To-morrow may find you in another world. Tomorrow God may have decided the question for ever. (D. Barnes, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. |
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