Commitments Have Consequences
Then Elijah approached all the people and said, "How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him. But if Baal, follow him." But the people didn't answer him a word. (1 Kings 18:21)
In 1 Kings 18 we read the well-known story of the challenge between Elijah, the prophet of God, and the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal to see who could call on their God to ignite a fire to burn up a sacrificial bull.
Despite their shouts to their god and their best efforts to get their god to respond to their cries, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal were unable to rouse their god to respond. In contrast, despite drenching his fire and offering in water, it was Elijah's simple cry to God that received a positive response, as the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice and even the ground around it!
Immediately we read that when all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried: "The LORD – He is God! The LORD – He is God!" (1 Kings 18:39)
All well and good, we might think. But that commitment is the start of the process, not its conclusion. Theology needs to lead to discipleship. Or, putting it another way, commitments have consequences. The big question is not so much who the true God is but, rather, what will the people do when that truth is made undeniable?
If the LORD is God, then we must follow Him. The God of the Bible refuses to simply be an idea to discuss.
As those who have seen enough to put our trust in Jesus as LORD, then that commitment has consequences for us. Either Jesus is to be LORD of all, or He isn't really LORD at all.
"We thank You, Lord, that You are still a God of wonders. Your power and might are unmatched. You are a God of miracles. Please help us to be Your true disciples – not only to call You 'Lord', but also to follow You wherever You may lead. Having decided to follow You, may we not turn back. May we put the world behind us and the cross before us. Help us, we pray, to surrender all to You. In Jesus' name. Amen!"
