Lectures to Young People
William B. Sprague, 1830
CHRISTIAN DECISION
"We want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship
the image of gold you have set up!" Daniel 3:18.
There is not perhaps recorded in the sacred volume a more
signal instance of human pride and impiety, than we find in the narrative
with which our text is connected. Nebuchadnezzar, the haughty and infatuated
king of Babylon, having greatly enriched himself by his conquest of the
surrounding nations, and especially the Jews, erected a monstrous golden
image to his God Belus in the plain of Dura. Having convened his princes,
governors, captains, judges, and other officers under him, to the dedication
of this idol, he issued a decree that, at a certain signal, every man should
prostrate himself before it in token of adoration; and that, if anyone
refused to obey the mandate, he should do it at the fearful expense of being
cast into a fiery furnace!
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, three men who were
originally of the princes of Judea, and were carried captive to Babylon in
their youth, refused, from conscientious considerations, to submit to this
horrible requisition; upon which they were immediately summoned into the
king's presence, to answer for their disobedience. On their appearing before
him, they were again offered the alternative of rendering homage to the
idol—or of being cast into the furnace. But they hesitated not a moment.
With a noble firmness which could face the frown of a mighty monarch, and
even the most appalling horrors of martyrdom, they replied, "O
Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this
matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able
to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even
if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your
gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Daniel 3:16-18
In the conduct of these men on this occasion, we have a
noble instance of genuine CHRISTIAN DECISION. I design, in this discourse,
to avail myself of the declaration in the text, to recommend the cultivation
of this trait of character to young Christians. And in doing so, I will call
your attention briefly to its nature and its advantages.
I. In respect to
the NATURE of Christian decision,
I observe that it is something entirely different from mere native
firmness of character. Everyone knows that the original
constitutions of men, intellectual and moral, as well as physical, are
exceedingly diverse. One, for instance, is originally irritable; another, so
placid as scarcely to be moved by any provocation. One is constitutionally
ingenuous; another, inclined to concealment. One is timid and wavering;
another, firm and resolute. Now this latter quality, mere natural firmness,
differs from Christian decision in this important particular—that it is not
of course subject to the dictates of conscience, or directed by a regard to
duty. The resolution of the man of the world may prompt him to deeds of
injustice, deeds of cruelty—as well as to acts of generosity and compassion;
and where this trait happens to be associated with an overbearing and
revengeful spirit, instead of being a blessing to its possessor or the
world, it is sure to be a curse to both. Many a bad man has been a scourge
to the community in which he has lived, and even to the world, who, without
this native heroism of character, would have been comparatively harmless.
Christian decision may be
DEFINED,
in general, as that quality which resolutely determines a man to do
his duty, at all times, without an improper regard to consequences.
What are some of the
ELEMENTS
of which this spirit is composed?
1. A clear conviction of duty.
No man is prepared to act at all, much less with decision, so long as he is
at loss where the path of duty lies; and the certain consequence of being
confused on this point, will be, that his efforts, at best, will be feeble,
inconstant, and inefficient. The very reflection that he is acting without a
settled conviction of duty, and still more, the reflection that he may be
acting contrary to the will of God, taking it for granted that he is a good
man—will be fitted to wound his conscience, and weaken his resolution. Let
him then who would possess genuine Christian decision, make it his first
object to ascertain the path of duty. Let him do this by attentively
considering the leadings of God's providence, by faithfully consulting an
enlightened conscience, and above all by earnestly looking for divine
guidance and teaching. And having once gained a clear and impressive
conviction of what duty is, he is prepared for resolute and decided action.
In most cases in which we are called to act, the path of
duty, to an honest and well directed mind—is plain. For instance, when
Nebuchadnezzar commanded the three men to worship his idol, there was no
cause for a moment's hesitation; nor did they wish for a moment to enable
them to decide that they would not do it. And far the greater part of the
cases of duty upon which Christians at the present day have to decide, are
as clear as that which was presented to the consideration of these men. And
where it is otherwise—where there are circumstances to confuse us in our
inquiries and our decision—this only constitutes a demand for more earnest
consideration and prayer. It may safely be said, that there are few
instances in which the Christian, after using all the means in his power to
ascertain his duty, is still left in the dark respecting it.
2. Another of the elements of Christian decision, and
that in which it especially consists, is
an unyielding purpose to act
agreeably to our sincere and enlightened convictions.
It is one thing to know what we ought to do—and quite a different thing to
do it. And it is to little purpose that we gain the knowledge of our
duty—unless we reduce that knowledge to practice. The individuals whose
example is exhibited in our text, were not only settled in the conviction
that they ought not—but in the purpose that they would not,
bow down before the idol. And the language in which they refused to do it,
shows that they were inflexible in their determination. And so it is with
every truly decided Christian. You may threaten him with the loss of
everything he holds dear on this side heaven; you may kindle a fiery
furnace, and tell him he shall have his portion in it; you may bring before
him the horrors of the prisoner's dungeon, or the martyr's stake—but you
will not shake his constancy in the course of duty. There is a holy
resolution in his soul, kindled up by the breathing of God's Spirit, which
the terrors of death itself cannot horrify.
3. Another element of Christian decision, is
a firm confidence in God.
This the three men strikingly exhibited in their refusal to yield to the
king's impious command. What if they should be thrown into the fiery
furnace, which was made ready to receive them? They had full confidence that
their God would preserve them unhurt, even amidst those fearful perils. And
if he did not, they knew what their duty was, and that in some way or other
God would bless them in the discharge of it. And they doubted not that, if
their bodies should be consumed in such a cause, they would be abundantly
compensated for the sacrifice by the glories of eternity.
What they felt and exhibited, was, by no means, peculiar
to themselves: every truly decided Christian exemplifies the same spirit. If
the duty to which he is called is difficult, he confides in God for grace to
enable him to discharge it. If he is doubtful in respect to consequences, he
trusts in God to give them such a direction as will be most for his glory.
If he has reason to believe that, in obeying the divine will, he shall
involve himself in distressing worldly calamities, here again he confides in
God to deliver him out of them in his own best time, or to cause them to
work out for him an exceeding and eternal weight of glory. No one accustomed
to attempt the discharge of duty in his own strength, ever possessed true
Christian decision. A nobler principle of action—a constant reliance on
the Lord our strength, is absolutely necessary to constitute the truly
decided Christian.
II. I proceed, secondly, to consider some of the
ADVANTAGES
which Christian decision secures.
1. And, first,
a decided course is the most SAFE
course. It was so in the case of the three
men whose decision is exhibited in our text. There was indeed in that case,
to the eye of worldly calculation, the most appalling danger hanging over
the path of duty. Nothing appeared but that their lives were in fearful
jeopardy, and that they were on the eve of suffering a most agonizing death.
The king's anger was excited to fury, and he commanded that the impious
order which he had given for their destruction should be executed without
delay. Accordingly they were thrown into the fiery furnace which was made
ready for them; and doubtless not the king only—but everyone who was
present, expected to see them instantly become victims to the flames. And
what was the result? Why that these three men were seen walking in the midst
of the furnace unhurt, under the protection of one whose form is said to
have been like the Son of God; and the king rose up in astonishment, and
immediately commanded them to come out of the furnace, acknowledging the
power of Jehovah in their preservation.
And as it was in that case, so it is substantially in all
others—a decided course is the safe course. Not that Christians, in ordinary
cases, can expect a miraculous interposition in their behalf when they are
brought into circumstances of danger; but God does usually extend to them
his special care and protection. If difficulties rise and seem to hedge up
their path, they are usually brought out of them in some way which they had
not anticipated. And even if their decision leads them to encounter death in
the cause of duty, it is the safe course still; for it is most emphatically
true in this case, that "he who loses his life, shall find it." It is
perfectly safe to die in the cause of duty; but it is unspeakably hazardous
to live at the expense of denying Christ. The three men would have been
safe, in the most important sense of the word, if the flames had instantly
consumed them; for that true religion on account of which they had died,
would have been a certain passport to heaven. And so is every Christian safe
who yields up his life in similar circumstances; for the crown of martyrdom
here, will be exchanged for a crown of glory hereafter.
2. A decided course is the most EASY course.
I do not intend here to imply that a professing
Christian may not sometimes, in consequence of his decision, be subjected to
severe trials; or, on the other hand, that by a timid and temporizing
course, he may not sometimes avoid trials: but I mean that, on the whole,
the decided Christian will be far less perplexed in the discharge of duty,
than any other.
Would Nebuchadnezzar, do you imagine, after having
witnessed the decision of these men, and the consequences of it, have been
likely to repeat the experiment which he made, or to have tried any other
means to induce them to worship his idol? Would he not rather have abandoned
it as a hopeless case, satisfied that they were determined to adhere to the
worship of Jehovah, and that Jehovah would assuredly preserve and bless them
in it? And the same effect, substantially, is produced upon the world by
every instance of decision in Christians.
Let the Christian, when the world spreads its temptations
before him, show himself determined and able to resist them: let him, when
solicited by his former careless associates to the haunts of sin, exhibit a
firmness of opposition, which their cavils, or sneers, or flatteries do not
shake; and let him repeat this in a few instances, and he will probably have
occasion to repeat it no more. For they will become convinced that their
efforts are unavailing, and will think it best to retire from the conflict.
Let him, on the other hand, when he is tempted, show himself half inclined
to yield; let him manifest a disposition to conform to the world so far as
he possibly can without sacrificing his Christian character; let him look
with some degree of indulgence on forbidden pleasures, and often be found
amid scenes of thoughtlessness, and you may rest assured that that
individual will be perpetually and painfully perplexed. Every instance in
which he yields to the claims of the careless and wicked, will encourage
them to renew their demands upon him; and it will be strange if they allow
him to rest, before he has practically disavowed his regard for true
religion, and sunk the character of the Christian—n that of the worldling.
3. A decided course is the most USEFUL course.
This is evident from the fact that many of those deeds which are followed
by the most important and permanent benefit to the world, could never be
performed without Christian decision. Witness, for instance, the conduct
of Moses in turning his back upon the rich temporal advantages which were
held out to him as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. Nothing but genuine
decision could have influenced him to the course which he adopted; and yet,
what immense benefits were derived from his conduct, under God, to the
Jewish nation and to the world! And what was true of the consequences of his
conduct, has been true, in a greater or less degree, in thousands of other
cases. And besides this, the decided Christian, by his general character,
exerts an influence of the most beneficial kind, which is peculiar to
himself. All who see him, take knowledge of him that he has been with Jesus;
and wherever he goes, he leaves an impression in favor of the true religion
he professes.
The undecided professor, on the other hand, is
continually making the cause of true religion bleed. He may indeed,
when he is in the company of Christians—appear like a Christian: you might
even think him zealous and active. But in the presence of the world, he
seems as indifferent to true religion as the world itself. If any severe
cross is to be taken up in the path of duty, he has no resolution for such a
service. What the influence of such an example, and such a character must
be, no one can be at loss to determine.
Let the appeal be to facts. Look around you, and
tell me whether you really believe that professing Christian exerts the
happiest influence, whose life is a perpetual scene of unwarrantable
compliances with the maxims of the world; who dares never to take a decided
stand on the side of duty, when duty happens to be the unpopular side. Or
whether it is not he who is steadfast and immoveable; who fearlessly
discharges the most difficult duties, and resolutely resists the most
powerful temptations? I know there is not one of you, whose conscience must
not return an answer in favor of the decided Christian.
4. A decided course is the most HONORABLE course.
That it actually is so in the view of God, and all godly people—none
can question. For the decided Christian faithfully conforms his conduct to
God's will, and makes it his unceasing object to promote God's glory, and to
advance the interests of his spiritual kingdom. But I venture to go farther,
and assert that he is the most honorable man in the view of the world;
and even of the most wicked part of it. For wicked men, let it be
remembered, have eyes and ears; have reason and conscience; and they know
what is right, and what is wrong, as well as others. I do not say indeed
that their hearts will relish the decision of the devoted Christian; but I
do say that their consciences will approve it: I do say that they will have
a secret reverence for such a character, corresponding to the contempt which
they feel towards its opposite: and there are a thousand cases in which they
have an opportunity to manifest, and actually do manifest, their preference,
in their conduct. If, for instance, the wicked man has any important trust
which he wishes to put in charge with one of his fellow-men, to be executed
after he is dead, rely on it, he will be far more likely to leave it with
the man of unyielding pious principles, than any other person; thus proving
that the contempt with which he might sometimes have appeared to regard such
a character, was mere affectation; and that he actually regarded it with
respect and veneration.
5. A decided course is the most HAPPY course.
It is so, because it is the only course that keeps a
man on good terms with his own conscience; and without an approving
conscience, the universe could not make him happy. Just in proportion as a
professing Christian is undecided, he loses the approbation of his
conscience, and of course, in the same degree, forfeits his enjoyment.
Moreover, it is a source of rich enjoyment to the decided
Christian, to see the benefits which result from his decision; the
influence which he thereby exerts in building up the cause of Christ. It is
a delightful reflection that, in all his efforts, God is glorified in some
way or other; and that he may hope to be instrumental in saving souls from
death and hiding a multitude of sins.
By maintaining a decided character, the Christian also
lays a foundation for a peaceful and happy death. He may expect indeed
that large measures of peace and comfort will be granted him from above,
during his life: but especially has he a right to expect that this will be
realized when flesh and heart are failing. Not that anything which he has
done will be regarded by him, as constituting the least part of the ground
of his acceptance. Still he will look back, and he will have a right to look
back upon his life, with gratitude to that God who has enabled him to stand
firm amidst all the temptations to which he has been exposed, and with joy
unspeakable, that his imperfect services may be crowned with the
benedictions of his Lord. It was especially this trait of character upon
which we have been meditating, which put such rapture and triumph into the
dying expressions of the apostle—"I have fought a good fight, I have
finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth, there is laid up for
me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give
me at that day."
And as a decided course is the most happy in its
progress, it is also the most happy in its result: for though the
rewards of eternity will all be of rich grace, yet they will be proportioned
to the zeal and fidelity which have here marked the Christian's labors.
While the timid and worldly-minded Christian (if the expression be not a
contradiction) will be saved so as by fire—the truly decided one will have
an abundant entrance ministered to him into the kingdom of our Father. Nay,
he will shine as the brightness of the sun, and as the stars forever and
ever.
Enough, I trust, has been said, my young friends, to
convince you that decision in your pious course is most intimately connected
with your usefulness, your comfort, and your character.
Let me now conclude with a single remark—it is that if
you do not become decided now, there is little probability that you ever
will. Decided indeed you must be, in a degree, or you cannot be a
Christian; but I speak here of that degree of decision which, according to
the common understanding of the term, shall entitle you to be considered a
decided Christian. And I repeat—unless you acquire this character
now, at the commencement of your Christian course, there is little reason to
believe that you ever will acquire it: because every step that you take in
the way of conformity to the world, will multiply the temptations around
you, and will diminish your strength of resistance. On the other hand, if
you begin right, and fix upon an elevated standard of duty, though it may
cost you a severe effort at first, your course will soon become easy and
delightful.
Dare then, my young friends, to do your duty at all times
and at all hazards. Never be afraid to stand alone in a good cause. If
the world spreads before you its brilliant and tempting scenes, remember
that you are not of the world, and that you are to have no communion with
its sinful pleasures. When difficulties and trials throng the path of
duty, remember that you have professed to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus,
and that the motto of a disciple is "self-denial." In short, wherever you
are—whether among the friends or the enemies of Christ, act consistently
with your profession and your hopes. In this way, you will secure to
yourself the full amount of blessing which true religion is fitted to
impart. In this way, you will travel onward to the grave, cheered by the
tokens of God's gracious presence—and beyond it, you will walk over the
plains of immortality, in the full radiance of the Redeemer's throne!
|