By: Juliet Constantine

And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people answered him not a word. (1 Kings 18:21)
 

Recently while watching the “Today Show” a Vox Pop was being done to garner people’s opinion on the recent legislation to allow gays to form a civil union of marriage. It was interesting to note that some people did not have an opinion – for or against – or they simply did not wish to share their opinion on live television. Or maybe, they were afraid of imagined or possible repercussions. Whatever was their reason, they chose to remain silent; just like the folks Elijah addressed in our passage for today. “They answered him not a word.”

It is possible that Elijah’s audience was afraid of repercussions from Jezebel should they publicly expressed belief in the God of Heaven. For many, their actions of public worship did not indicate this belief. They willing tore down altars erected to the true God and instead set up altars for Baal worship. They had conformed to the traditions of men instead of obeying instructions from God.

Still, these were people who once worshiped the true God; the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They know who He is and what’s required of them. But their indecision have them ‘playing on both sides of the fence’. That was the reality that existed in that era of Elijah’s life.

And the same can be said of what exists today. People are afraid to make up their minds. They are faltering between two opinions. Their indecision have them playing ‘in the river, on the bank’. It is seen in our indifference to studying God’s words; in the way we worship; in our family life and our commitment to each other. Our indecision on matters of eternal consequences stems from our half-hearted commitment to Jesus Christ.

Elijah called his fellow countrymen to take a stand. He knew very well that you are either for or against. You cannot be on both sides. Just like Joshua’s call to his people: “If God be God then serve Him”, Elijah asked for a decision – for or against. He said, “If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” My question to you this day is similar. Whom do you worship? What guides your belief system? Is it the God of Heaven or someone else? Make up your mind.

“We are often faced with similar decisions. We cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24). We must choose the world and its pleasures, or we must serve Christ — we cannot do both! We will either give our lives up in Christ’s cause, gathering a harvest of souls for Him, or scattering abroad (Matthew 12:30). Indecision cripples many Christians, too. They flounder around trying to live a worldly life, but at the same time a spiritual life, and failing in their attempt to do either. They have too much religion to live a full-bore debauched life, but too little religion to live a dedicated, faithful life for Christ and His church. They remain in the ‘twilight zone” between two competing worlds, and uncommitted to either. It is a self-defeating dichotomy of the mind! Christian, are you there? It is time to ‘cross the Rubicon” and to commit yourself wholly to a no-holds-barred, no-turning-back commitment to Christ. Nothing else will do! “A DOUBLE-MINDED MAN IS UNSTABLE IN ALL OF HIS WAYS” (JAMES 1:8)! So, quit faltering, and start living!” (excerpt from “Faltering between two opinions” by Darwin Hunter)

Oh my Father, I have fixed my mind on another time. Please help me, in all I do, to choose You and not what others dictate. May this be the prayer of all Your children, for I ask it all in Jesus’ name, amen.

 

Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)