Zephaniah 1:5

“I will cut off them that worship and that swear by the Lord,
       and that swear by Malcham.” 
              — Zephaniah 1:5

Such persons thought themselves safe because they were with both
parties: they went with the followers of Jehovah, and bowed at the same
time to Malcham. But duplicity is abominable with God, and hypocrisy
his soul hateth. The idolater who distinctly gives himself to his false
god, has one sin less than he who brings his polluted and detestable
sacrifice unto the temple of the Lord, while his heart is with the
world and the sins thereof. To hold with the hare and run with the
hounds, is a dastard’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 it is 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 thyself this morning, and see whether thou art guilty
of double-dealing. Thou professest to be a follower of Jesus-dost thou
truly love him? Is thy heart right with God? Art thou of the family of
old Father Honest, or art thou a relative of Mr. By-ends? A name to
live is of little value if I be indeed dead in trespasses and sins. To
have one foot on the land of truth, and another on the sea of
falsehood, will involve a terrible fall and a total ruin. Christ will
be all or nothing. God fills the whole universe, and hence 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 alone on Jesus crucified,
and live alone for him? Is it my desire to do so? Is my heart set upon
so doing? If so, blessed be the mighty grace which has led me to
salvation; and if not so, O Lord, pardon my sad offence, and unite my
heart to fear thy name.

On this day…

• Jeremiah 40 – 2024
• Jeremiah 39 – 2024
• 1 Kings 18:43 – 2009
• Angels Wings – 2009
• CHASTENING – 2008
• Zephaniah 1:5 – 2008
• THE VIEWPOINT – 2008
• Philippians 3:8 – 2007
• Romans 12:2 – 2007