A religious man?

(Bonar, "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, 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 favor
with the rich and great, a religious man, too, after
a fashion.

But he is fond of the world, fond of money, fond
of preferment; one that would not let his religion
stand in the way of his advancement; who could
pocket all scruples if he could pocket a little gold
along with them; hollow of heart, but with a
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 his God.

So is it with multitudes among us.

They want as much religion as they imagine
will save them from hell; 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.

Love not the world.

Be religious in your inmost soul.

Don't mistake sentimentalism for religion;
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, 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
 

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