Walter Scott (1796-1861) earned the nickname The Golden Oracle for his ability to capture an audience’s attention as he preached the gospel. The following excerpt describes an interesting tactic Scott used one night that resulted in many being converted to Christ.
“One night Walter met a new audience who were indifferent to his message. He asked all who were for the Lord to stand, but no one arose. He then asked all who were for the devil to rise, and again no one stood. Scanning the audience for a moment, he said, ‘I never saw such a crowd before. If you had stood up either for God or for the devil, I would know what to do, but as it is, I am in the dark. You may go home, and I will study the case until tomorrow evening, and then I’ll decide how to treat it.’ The people were amazed, but at the appointed hour the next night there was not room for the audience. It proved to be the beginning of a great victory for the Lord because of the number of conversions” (Restoration Principles and Personalities, p. 137).
In this day and age, it would probably not be as effective to dismiss an audience that had assembled to hear us preach so that they might come back at a future time with greater interest. But it worked for Walter Scott on this occasion. He got his point across: We must make a choice whether we will serve God or not. We cannot ride the fence. We cannot be noncommittal. Scott’s audience recognized their need to make a decision. Many of them made the right choice to serve the Lord.
This same challenge is made throughout the Bible for men to make a choice – either for God or against Him.
- Joshua issued a challenge to the people of Israel: “If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15). They had to make a choice – to serve the Lord or not.
- Elijah rebuked the sons of Israel before his showdown with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel: “‘How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people did not answer him a word” (1 Kings 18:21). They had to make a choice – to follow the Lord or not.
- When King Agrippa told Paul that he was almost persuaded to become a Christian, Paul said: “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains” (Acts 26:29, NKJV). Agrippa had to make a choice – to become a Christian or not.
This challenge is set before us today as well. Will we stand for the Lord, or will we not? We do not have to make a conscious stand for the devil in order to be on the side that is against Christ. Jesus said that we are “against” Him simply by not being “with” Him (Matthew 12:30). So let us examine ourselves and be sure we are standing with and for the Lord.
