“The Doom of the Double-Hearted”
by Horatius Bonar
A religious man
Then Balaam uttered this oracle: “Let me die the death of the righteous, and may
my end be like theirs!”
Numbers 23:7-10
7 And he took up his parable, and said, Balak the king of Moab hath brought me
from Aram, out of the mountains of the east, saying, Come, curse me Jacob, and
come, defy Israel.
8 How shall I curse, whom God hath not cursed? or how shall I defy, whom the LORD
hath not defied?
9 For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him: lo, the
people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations.
10 Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let
me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!
2 Peter 2:15
Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam
the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;”
Balaam is a specimen of multitudes in these last days. An educated and intelligent
man, shrewd and quick seeing, of respectable character, high in favor with the rich
and great–a religious man too, after a fashion.
But he is fond of the world, fond of money, fond of preferment. He is one who would
not let his religion stand in the way of his advancement. He could pocket all scruples,
if only he could pocket a little gold along with them. He is hollow of heart, but with
an acceptable outside.
His worldly interests are the main thing to him. He would rather not risk offending God,
but yet he would not like to lose Balak’s rewards and honors. He would rather not take
up his cross, nor deny himself, nor forsake all for God.
So is it with multitudes among us! They want as much religion as they imagine will save
them from Hell–and not an atom more!
The world is their real God.
Gold is their idol.
It is in mammon’s temple that they worship.
Love God with all their heart?
They don’t so much as understand the meaning of such a thing.
Sacrifice riches, place, honor, friends to Christ?
They scoff at the thing as madness.
Don’t trifle with religion.
Don’t mock God.
Do not love the world.
Be pious in your inmost soul.
Don’t mistake sentimentalism for genuine piety; or a good character for the New Birth.
This world OR the world to come–that is the alternative; not this world AND the world to come.
Christ must be all–or nothing!
No middle ground; no half discipleship; no compromise.
The friendship of the world is enmity with God.
Come out and be separate.
The New Birth, or no religion at all.
Then Balaam uttered this oracle: “Let me die the death of the righteous, and may my end be
like theirs!” Numbers 23:7, 10
“They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor,
who loved the wages of wickedness!” 2 Peter 2:15
“Only one life to live and soon is past
Only what’s done for Christ will last!”
Hoping to make the time I have left count for the glory of God.