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A Deciding Message

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 15, 1911

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 88, No. 24.

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A Deciding Message

By Editor

Editorial

“ELIJAH’S challenge to the people of Israel was: “How long go ye limping between the two sides? if Jehovah be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” 1 Kings 18: 21, A. R. V.
“AND the people answered him not a word.” Human nature is prone to indecision. Christ ever challenged his hearers to decide things: “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. Ye can not serve God and Mammon.”
A Deciding Message.— This message of the coming of Christ and of Sabbath reform has been a challenge to all who hear it to decide, in the fear of God, which way they will take,—whether the way of tradition and the Papacy, which leads to death; or the way of God and his commandments, which leads to eternal life. It is a clear-cut, deciding message that is committed to us.
Danger in Indecision.— Writing of the importance of decision of character, Elder R. F. Cottrell (in the REVIEW, June 7, 1870) said:—
How important to have a plain question of duty decided at once and forever! It is dangerous to delay obedience under the excuse of waiting for more light. It is dangerous to do as Balaam did—to ask God again concerning that which he has plainly and expressly spoken. We need no sign from Heaven, and we shall have none, to convince us that we ought to obey the written Word. Has God spoken? Is it his Word? Then obey. Do not insult Heaven with the question whether it is right to obey. If one gets an answer to such prayers, it will be more than likely to be a permission to have his own chosen way, and continue in the way of disobedience, the end of which is death.
Do you believe God? Then you have no occasion to hesitate. Do what he says. He will not revoke it, nor grant you a special dispensation or indulgence. And the sooner you decide to believe and obey his Word, the better.