A RELIGIOUS MAN by Horatius Bonar
from The Doom of the Double-Hearted Then Balaam uttered this oracle,
Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my end be like theirs. Numbers 23, 7 and 10. They have left the straight way,
and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who
loved the wages of wickedness. 2 Peter 2.15. Balaam is a specimen
of multitudes in these last days, an educated and intelligent man,
shrewd and quick-seeing, of respectable character, high in favour with
the rich and great, a religious man too, after a fashion. He is fond of the world, fond
of money, fond of preferment. He is one who would not let his
religion stand in the way of his advancement. He could pocket
all scruples if only he could pocket a little gold along with
them. He is hollow of heart, but with
an acceptable outside. His worldly interests are the
main thing to him. He would rather not risk offending
God, but yet he would not like to lose Balak's rewards and honors. He would rather not take up his
cross, nor deny himself, nor forsake all for God. So it is
with multitudes among us. They want as much religion as
they imagine will save them from hell, and not an atom more. The world is their real God.
Gold is their idol. It is in Mammon's temple that
they worship. Love God with all their heart?
They don't so much as understand the meaning of such a thing.
Sacrifice riches, place, honor, friends to Christ? They scoff
at the thing as madness. Don't trifle with religion. Don't
mock God. Do not love the world. Be pious
in your inmost soul. Don't mistake sentimentalism
for genuine piety or a good character for the new birth. this world
or the world to come. That is the alternative, not
this world and the world to come. Christ must be all or nothing,
no middle ground, no half-discipleship, no compromise. The friendship
of the world is enmity with God. Come out and be separate, the
new birth or no religion at all. Then Balaam uttered this oracle,
Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my end be like theirs."
Numbers 23, 7, and 10. They have left the straight way,
and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam, son of Beor, who
loved the wages of wickedness. 2 Peter 2.15.