Christian Observer 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… A more striking appeal is scarcely to be found in the whole volume of inspiration. It was delivered under circumstances peculiarly impressive, and by one of the most eminent and most honoured among the prophets. I. AS TO THE NATURE OF THIS INDECISION IN RELIGION. II. LET US THEN CONSIDER THE GROUNDS AND CAUSES OF THIS INDECISION. The source of all this evil is the deceitfulness of the human heart. 1. The love of the world. — The Apostle St. John has left it upon record, that this disposition is totally inconsistent with the love of God. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world," etc. 2. The fear of the world. — Nothing is more certain, than that the disposition and habits of the great majority of mankind, even in a Christian country, are totally and radically opposed to the precepts of the Gospel; and the world loves its own: and if any are not of the world, it beholds them with aversion. 3. The fashion of the world. — Under this term, I include the example and authority of those with whom we are conversant; or to whom it is customary to appeal. III. THE UNREASONABLENESS OF THIS PRINCIPLE. 1. It is unreasonable, on account of the great importance of the subject. 2. Something, perhaps, might be said in vindication of indifference and indecision, if these things were only obscurely revealed; but the fact is, that as we are more interested in the knowledge of salvation, than of all other things, so is the will of God most distinctly made known in respect to it. (Christian Observer.) 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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