Tolerance is a virtue that can be taken to an extreme. We can become so accommodating that we may find ourselves dining with the devil. Gilbert K. Chesterton declared, “Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions.” The nation of Israel found themselves wavering between two opinions – should they serve the Lord or should they serve Baal? The prophet Elijah challenged the people at Mount Carmel:

Then Elijah approached all the people and said, “How long are you going to struggle with the two choices? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.” But the people did not answer him so much as a word. (1Kings 18:21)

The word struggle means to pass over and by implication, to hesitate. Although Elijah was outnumbered 450 to 1, he realized that with the Lord he had a majority. Elijah proposed a showdown:

“Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD; and the God who answers by fire, He is God.” And all the people replied, “That is a good idea.” (1Kings 18:24)

The prophets of Baal went first and called upon their god, but there was no answer. Elijah taunted them:

And at noon Elijah ridiculed them and said, “Call out with a loud voice, since he is a god; undoubtedly he is attending to business, or is on the way, or is on a journey. Perhaps he is asleep, and will awaken.” (1Kings 18:27)

After the prophets of Baal had exhausted themselves, Elijah called all the people to come forward and he repaired the altar of the Lord. Elijah then did the unthinkable, he poured water on the offering and the wood:

And he said, “Fill four large jars with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood.” And he said, “Do it a second time,” so they did it a second time. Then he said, “Do it a third time,” so they did it a third time. (1Kings 18:34)

The water flowed around the altar, and also filled the trench with water. At the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, Elijah called out to the Lord:

“Answer me, LORD, answer me, so that this people may know that You, LORD, are God, and that You have turned their heart back.” Then the fire of the LORD fell and consumed the burnt offering and the wood, and the stones and the dust; and it licked up the water that was in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell on their faces; and they said, “The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God!” (1Kings 18:37-39)

Elijah walked by faith, whereas the people walked by sight. Are we walking by sight, or will we step out in faith?

Rick Higgins

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark