Dear Ones:
The majority of topics that we discuss with one another have varying levels of importance attached to them. But there are some, the value and significance of which, cannot and must not be ignored. There are two instances in the Old Testament when the day came when a decision of monumental significance was put before those who heard the discourse. In essence, it would be the moment of the great divide, for there would only be two camps…no more.
The first of these instances came to pass when Joshua was old, and “stricken in age.” (Josh. 23:1) God had given the land of Canaan to Israel. It was indeed a “land of promise.” And then comes Joshua’s admonition: “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve the Lord. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you THIS DAY whom ye will serve….but as for me and my house, we WILL serve the Lord.” (24:14-15) It is apparent that there is NO middle ground here. The dye must be cast, the decision must be made, the position must be taken…and this for all time and eternity. It is apparent also that this choice is one that needs to be made TODAY…tomorrow may never come.
When Israel had lived in the land many years, and turned away from God, many years after Joshua had uttered those words, especially under the reign of Ahab and Jezebel, God was seeking to save the nation. So, He raised up Elijah to bring the people face to face with a decision, and the decision was this: “How long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him.” (1 Kings 18:21) Again, there is not a third avenue or choice. It is either to commit to the Eternal God, or to the degradation of a merciless and wicked god, Baal. It must be noted that this god Baal required the living sacrifice of children, and promoted sexual perversion to the extreme. You might say, “…Well I don’t agree with that, and I do not worship and serve Baal.” It must be understood at this point that, the refusal to “serve the Lord” is to choose to serve another god by default, and this a god of man’s imagination. We are worshipful creatures of things or people, and our existence is determined to a great extent, not only by the company we keep, but by the mentality of the age in which we live. In both Joshua’s admonition, and Elijah’s challenge, the issue is to choose the God of the Bible or the god(s) of this world.
Jesus would put it like this: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” (Matt. 7:13) And finally, in John’s gospel, Christ declared: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: NO MAN cometh unto the Father BUT BY ME.” (14:6) The question of the great divide is simple, “If Christ be God, the serve Him…” If not, then serve the gods of this world. But be very sure that there is no middle ground here, for though we might serve God with many faults, there is a definite choice that is made. And it is an eternal one.
Love, Dad