November 14, Morning
C. H. Spurgeon · Modern retelling
"I will cut off them that worship and that swear by the Lord, and that swear by Malcham." — Zephaniah 1:5 · KJV
Such persons thought themselves safe because they held with both parties: they went with the followers of Yahweh, and at the same time bowed to Malcham. But duplicity is abominable to God, and His soul hates hypocrisy. The idolater who openly gives himself to his false god has one sin less than the man who brings his polluted and detestable sacrifice into the temple of the Lord while his heart is with the world and its sins. To hold with the hare and run with the hounds is a coward's policy. In the common matters of daily life a double-minded man is despised; but in religion he is loathsome to the last degree. The penalty pronounced in the verse before us is terrible, but well deserved; for how should divine justice spare the sinner who knows the right, approves it, and professes to follow it, and all the while loves the evil and gives it dominion in his heart? My soul, search yourself this morning, and see whether you are guilty of double-dealing. You profess to be a follower of Jesus — do you truly love Him? Is your heart right with God? Are you of the family of old Father Honest, or a relative of Mr. By-ends? A name to live is of little value if I am indeed dead in trespasses and sins. To have one foot on the land of truth and another on the sea of falsehood will bring a terrible fall and total ruin. Christ will be all, or nothing. God fills the whole universe, and so there is no room for another god; if, then, He reigns in my heart, there will be no space for another reigning power. Do I rest on Jesus crucified alone, and live for Him alone? Is it my desire to do so? Is my heart set on it? If so, blessed be the mighty grace that has led me to salvation; and if not, O Lord, pardon my sad offense, and unite my heart to fear Your name.