Pretexts of Indecision
When duly examined, the pretexts of indecision are absurd; unless we submit to the great appeal, nothing is left but speechlessness. What are the undecided ones waiting for? Some are stopped by a variety of presuppositions. Much mystery and many questions must be cleared up. There are difficulties with regard to the Bible: the great question of Noah’s ark, of Baalam’s ass, of the Gadarene swine. How shall we reconcile sin, suffering and death with the goodness of God? Are not the birth and death of Christ wrapped in mystery?
Now, it is true that revelation presents great problems; but does this justify our hesitation? Spots appear on the sun, yet it gives more light than any other luminary, therefore we rejoice to walk in its light; and although dark places occur in revelation, it is still “the master-light of all our seeing,” and our common sense bids us follow its guidance. We have to judge between Christ and other masters, and there need not be one moment’s hesitation between the glorious liberty, the godly comfort, the high character, the sweet service, the benign influence, and the splendid hope of the Christian life and the life of sin.
Now, it is true that revelation presents great problems; but does this justify our hesitation? Spots appear on the sun, yet it gives more light than any other luminary, therefore we rejoice to walk in its light; and although dark places occur in revelation, it is still “the master-light of all our seeing,” and our common sense bids us follow its guidance. We have to judge between Christ and other masters, and there need not be one moment’s hesitation between the glorious liberty, the godly comfort, the high character, the sweet service, the benign influence, and the splendid hope of the Christian life and the life of sin.
Many wait for a more powerful impulse. They wait for something practically supernatural that will agitate, stimulate or master them; but in reality the appeal of conscience is not less the voice of God than the vision that smote Saul (see Acts 9).
Others wait for a convenient season. “Convenient” is a word that has no place in serious life. When seriously ill, we do not defer going to the doctor until it is convenient. How much rather, then, shall we promptly deal with the crisis of the soul!