Do not Live to the Halves.
By Krummacher
BUT if Elijah were now preaching among ourselves, would he not still have to deliver many a severe animadversion upon halting, wavering and instability? Surely he would not endure long to witness the double-mindedness and indecision which prevails among professed christians. Certainly we see some decided characters on the one side, and on the other, on the path of death as well as on that of light and life; and as to the former sort, there is a decided sentence against them already pronounced in the word of God. But will it eventually fare better with those who may be called borderers, who halt between two opinions, who practically, at least, doubt which master they shall serve? And O that the generation of these halting ones did not constitute the majority among us! But alas, is it not so? Decided living unto God surely is no common thing. But what, dear brethren, is our supreme happiness? Is it not to enjoy fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ? Is not this the one thing needful? Let the Lord be your treasure, let him be your supreme. "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world;" until it can be demonstrated that these are your supreme good; that these can save and make you happy; that these can redeem and comfort you. Could they indeed do so, then the time you spend on religion would be lost time. Make sure, therefore, of your choice, and be decided how you mean to live. If human existence be confined to this present life merely, and if we have nothing beyond it to look for, then "let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die;" then "walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes;" for then why should we lose time upon an imaginary thing, a nullity? But if this is not our rest; if there be a world to come, an eternity hereafter, what means our loitering upon the way, our settling down in the land of our pilgrimage? Be therefore pilgrims and strangers decidedly; lay aside every sin, everything that would impede your progress; esteem all such things as dross and dung, that ye may enter in at the straight gate, and that the word "Eternity" may not be a word of thunder to you. Surely it is well worth while to sacrifice all other cares to this one—of escaping eternal death, and becoming partakers of everlasting happiness. To act half as children of time, and half as children of eternity, brings with it entire death. If the word of God be true, submit yourselves to it in all things, even in those which are ever so opposed to our corrupt nature and wayward desires. Believe it heartily, both in its promises and threatenings. But if ye are wiser than God, then show it decidedly; only do not halt, for that is irrational and absurd, and do not mix light and darkness together. Neither attempt to compromise between God and the world. If Christianity be of God, decide for it with body and soul; embrace the cross; be willing to suffer affliction with the despised people of God; forsake the pomps, pleasures and vanities of the world, and employ all your endeavors to promote the kingdom and glory of Christ. Do not waver between the righteousness of Christ and your own. Which of the two will avail you in the Judgment? If it be only the righteousness of Christ, then value yourselves no longer on your own supposed virtues, as many do, with whom we cannot be long in company without hearing of the good works they have done and are doing, both of humanity and religion. Neither be undecided as to the choice of your friends and associates; for he that is not with me, saith Christ, is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.