Topical Bible: Decision: Opposed to a Divided Service

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In the biblical context, the concept of decision-making is often portrayed as a choice between serving God wholeheartedly or being divided in one's loyalties. Scripture consistently emphasizes the importance of a singular devotion to God, warning against the dangers of a divided heart.

Old Testament Foundations

The call to undivided service is rooted in the Shema, a central declaration of the Jewish faith found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This passage underscores the necessity of complete devotion to God, leaving no room for divided allegiances.

The prophet Elijah confronted the Israelites with a stark choice on Mount Carmel, as recorded in 1 Kings 18:21: "Elijah approached all the people and said, 'How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.' But the people did not answer a word." Elijah's challenge highlights the futility and danger of attempting to serve both God and idols.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ reiterates the call to undivided service. In Matthew 6:24, He teaches, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Here, Jesus addresses the impossibility of serving both God and worldly wealth, emphasizing the need for a clear and decisive commitment to God.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 10:21, he writes, "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons." Paul warns against the spiritual peril of attempting to maintain dual allegiances, urging believers to choose fidelity to Christ alone.

The Call to Wholehearted Devotion

Throughout Scripture, the call to decision is a call to wholehearted devotion. Joshua's exhortation to the Israelites in Joshua 24:15 remains a timeless challenge: "But if it is unpleasing in your sight to serve the LORD, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

The biblical narrative consistently presents decision-making as a matter of spiritual allegiance. Believers are called to reject a divided service and to commit themselves fully to the Lord, recognizing that true worship and service require an undivided heart.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

From Antioch to the Destruction of Jerusalem.
... cities of Pisidia Paul was persecuted and opposed. ... This decision was instrumental
in determining that Christianity ... during this period may be divided into two ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xx from antioch to.htm

The Foreign Missions and their Influence.
... a momentous issue was submitted to the decision of the ... He divided the congregation
into "choirs." He showed them ... set to work the Dutch pastors opposed them to ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vi the foreign missions.htm

Another Mode of Justification
... What can be opposed to this proof, unless some one wish ... accord the human mind makes
no such decision concerning God ... in the manner that they are divided by idle ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 9 another mode of.htm

On Appeal.
... this implies men are found to be opposed in every ... the remainder of the discourse
being divided into "introduction ... fail to bring him to the decision you desire ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter iii on appeal.htm

The Divinity of the Son of God.
... the Father neither by creation nor by decision but by a ... be taken into consideration,
which are opposed to each ... but begotten from nature; not divided from the ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/the divinity of the son.htm

Priestly Plottings
... But they had ever opposed Christ's work. ... Divided hitherto, they became one in their
opposition to ... they thought, sufficient reason for coming to some decision. ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 59 priestly plottings.htm

The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ...
... The Jews divided the Pentateuch and the writings of ... to maintain wholesome discipline
were opposed and overborne ... would concur with him in this decision, and that ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the lords daythe.htm

Early Mentions of Christianity in Britain. --King Lucius. --Origin ...
... of transubstantiation were heard, this Pelagian controversy divided those who opposed
the new ... which had been laid before him since his former decision. ...
/.../lecture ii early mentions of.htm

Book Eight Conversion to Christ. ...
... into a violent turmoil, in which his divided will struggles ... Alypius also makes his
decision, and the two inform the ... did not seek in piety, but opposed in malice ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book eight conversion to christ .htm

The Netherlands and Scandinavia.
... inevitably lead, and he strenuously opposed the erroneous ... His decision was soon made,
and erelong he was ... The nation was divided into contending factions, whose ...
/.../13 the netherlands and scandinavia.htm