Decision

Our word "decision" is an interesting one. It derives from another word which we use, actually a transliterated one, "di­agnosis" (from dia, apart, and gnosis, to know). To "decide" (diakrino) signifies "to make a distinction, hence to decide .. to give a judgment." Diakrino is a form of diakrisis and from this we get our word "crisis," denoting a change one way or the other. We are faced with great % cisions in life, and none are more impor­tant that those we make in regard to God, our soul and spiritual matters.

In the days of Elijah the prophet, Israel was tom between worship to the true God of heaven and Baal, the Canaanite god who had been introduced by Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel (1 Kgs. 18). When God called the prophet to deal with this matter, he asked, "how long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him..." In other words he called upon the people to decide; to make up their minds about who would be the object of their service, devotion and worship. It had to be either Jehovah or Baal, but it could not be both.

At that time the people were limping be­tween two religions - God's or man's. Really, these are the only two there are! Men's religions may vary in form from each other - but they all vary from God's, and so may counted as one. The only sources of religious practice will either be the heart of men or the heart of God. Here is where we must decide! Which will it be?

In the prophet's day, Baal was a senseless statue made by men's hands, while God was living, real and true. In reality their decision was between false and real; su­perstition and revelation; tyranny of igno­rance and darkness and freedom of light and truth. Why was it so hard - but so it seemed to be! The same is true with peo­ple today. The Christian serves God like he wants to be served. His efforts, talents and time are all given to God.

We pose the question: "Why were the people limping between these two ways?" Something removed their allegiance away from God! Could it be the same thing that removes people from God today? Note the possibilities. Could it be because God's people are fewer? But Jesus said many would travel the broad road that leads to (Matt. 7:13-14). Baal had 850 prophets and God had only one! But it is not dif­ficult to see which one was a prophet of truth! Don't let the majority make your decisions for you.

Could it be their fear of men? Some no doubt feared Ahab the king, and could not bring themselves to "cross" him. Why not be like Moses' parents who had no fear of the king when it came to obeying God (Heb. 11:23)? Ahab % termined to abolish the true worship of God, and many probably did not have the courage to stand against him. It is said that Martin Luther was once told, "The whole world is against you." He is said to have replied, "well I am against the world." Do not fear man, but serve God (Matt. 10:28).

"Between two opinions" is not an envi­able place to be! Every moment of % lay between the Lord and the world gives opportunity to weaken. Why should be men encouraged to make a decision; to not delay? First, it is fool­ish. Such people are like the donkey in a fable - here he sat between two hay stacks and starved to because he could not decide which one to eat from! So we can see the choice of men like Moses (Heb. 11:25), and Joshua (Josh. 24:15). I heard about one faithful Chris­tian woman who said, "I had rather die a poor Christian than a rich heathen.”  

Secondly, indecision is dangerous. Re­member Lot's wife (Gen. 19)! She had been called upon to "leave home," and was told not to look back. She seemed to be torn between Sodom and deliver­ance! Men can stand under a falling tree - and decision comes quick and easy! Why can't we do the same thing concern­ing our souls? Time may run out if we wait too long (2 Cor. 6:2). If you have not yet decided to serve God, you should do so. Quit trying to go "limping between two ways." Too much is at stake, and we encourage men to look at the circum­stances; consider the promises, and then decide to serve God! - Bill Moseley

 

 

 

Someone recently wondered where all the fodder from this column comes from. Well, most of it (probably 95%) comes from actual experiences in the life of this dumb preacher. You could do the same thing - just look around you!

Anyway, here's another one. We all read bumper stickers. Some are funny, some are not, and others downright im­moral, and some just don't make sense. I saw one in the latter group here awhile back.

Driving down the street I saw a car in front of me with the bumper sticker that said: "Happiness Is Being Healthy." "Pretty good," I thought. Then I passed the guy and couldn't believe what I saw after reading his bumper sticker. You could hardly see him for the cloud of smoke in his car! Looked more like a train engine (old fashioned kind) than an automobile. That one made about as much sense as another one I saw that said: "Honk If You Love Jesus." Well, the guy almost ran into me, and so I did what any red-blooded American would do - I honked at him. Guess he thought I really didn't love Jesus because what I got from him was an obscene gesture. Life is full of incongruities, isn't it?

Well, maybe I shouldn't be too hard on the "health nut." Maybe the sticker was on the car when he bought it; maybe he was driving somebody else's car – I  don't know. One of those must be the answer, because nobody could be that inconsistent - could they? - Bill Moseley