Ezekiel 21:16

Go thee one way or other, either on the right hand or on the left, whithersoever thy face is set.

Religious decision

I. The nature of religious decision. In general terms, this may be said to be an inflexible regard for the will and honour of God--a firm adherence under all circumstances to that course of duty which He has commanded, and a personal dedication of the heart and soul to His service.

1. Religious decision is founded on a special regard to the will of God. In this respect it differs from a native or innate decision of character, which is simply a following the bias of the mind.

2. Religious decision is exercised in regard to matters of real importance. In matters of trivial concern. Christian decision may be yielding. It is always candid. It shows due respect for the feelings and preferences of others.

3. True religious decision will never be anxious about consequences. In obeying the clear injunctions of conscience and of God, it is prepared to leave events in His hands who has required the sacrifice.

4. True Christian decision is uniform and unqualified. The man of decided principle will not admit the thought of a compromise with sin or with error.

II. The importance of religious decision.

1. It is important as a matter of Christian consistency.

2. Religious decision is a satisfactory test of Christian character.

3. Christian decision is important, as a means of securing the respect and confidence of mankind. Men may think you needlessly precise, they may even suspect the purity of your motives, but they will admire the conduct that agrees with the profession.

4. Our usefulness is greatly involved in religious decision. The Great Head of the Church does not select for the execution of His grandest plans the timid, the hesitating, the wavering. No. He employs those to whom “He has not given the spirit of fear; but of power, of love, and of a sound mind.” (Anon.)

To the waverer

I. Thy nature of religious decision.

1. It is founded on a special regard to the Word of God.

2. It is exercised in matters that are religious.

3. It spurns all considerations of consequences.

4. It acts uniformly and undeviatingly.

II. Its importance.

1. As an index of Christian consistency.

2. As a test of personal Christianity.

3. As a passport to general confidence.

4. As an element of usefulness. (G. Brooke.)