A religious man

(Horatius Bonar, "The Doom of the Double-Hearted")  LISTEN to audio! Download Audio

(You will find it helpful to listen to the audio above, as you read the text below.)

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. 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 is it 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, 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