Spiritual Neutrality

Good morning!

In Matthew 12:30 we read these words of Jesus:  (The Message version)

"This is war, and there is no neutral ground.  

If you're not on my side, you're the enemy;

If you're not helping, you're making things worse."

There are people who want to "sit on the fence" when it comes to God.  They don't want to commit to being a Christian, to follow Jesus, nor do they want to be perceived as an atheist or infidel.  They simply want to remain in their cozy, little cocoons and do whatever they want to do with their lives.

Jesus makes it clear that such "spiritual neutrality" is a myth, a deception of Satan.  Each person is a player in the spiritual war that rages all around us, and every single one of us is serving on one side or the other.

Whose side are you on?

Many of the folks bound up in this deception believe that they have plenty of time to make a decision and then "jump into the fray".... later.

This attitude reminds me of the story in the gospel of Luke, chapter 12:13-21.  The story is given because a man has been squabbling with his brother over their inheritance.  One did not want to give the other his fair share, apparently.  Jesus' story served to illustrate that the man asking Him to arbitrate the situation was focusing on the wrong things.  In verse 21 (The Message), Jesus says,

"That's what happens when you fill your barns with Self and not with God."

You might say, "But, this passage is a warning against greed..."  Yes, it is.  However, at the root of "spiritual neutrality" is greed, making Self the god of your life.

I heard a preacher say once, "The opposite of love is not hate; it is indifference."  Those seeking to be spiritually neutral do not proclaim to "hate God".  They claim mere indifference.  However, they ARE worshipping; they just aren't worshipping the one, true God.

In Luke 12, we find a story Jesus told.  It's about a "wealthy" man (and I put that in quotes because he was not wealthy in the things that truly matter) who died suddenly, when he was at the pinnacle of his self-satisfaction.  All his self-made plans came to nothing.  Furthermore, everything he had worked for, focused his life on....was lost.  When Self is our god, this is the end result.

Don't be deceived!

What are you filling your barn with today?  Whose side are you on?

Who is on the Lord’s side?
  Who will serve the King?
Who will be His helpers,
  Other lives to bring?
Who will leave the world’s side?
  Who will face the foe?
Who is on the Lord’s side?
  Who for Him will go?

Not for weight of glory,
  Not for crown and palm,
Enter we the army,
  Raise the warrior psalm;
But for love that claimeth
  Lives for whom He died;
He whom Jesus nameth
  Must be on His side.

Jesus, Thou hast bought us,
  Not with gold or gem,
But with Thine own life-blood,
  For Thy diadem;
With Thy blessing filling
  Each who comes to Thee,
Thou hast made us willing,
  Thou hast made us free.

Fierce may be the conflict,
  Strong may be the foe,
But the King’s own army
  None can overthrow.
Round His standard ranging
  Victory is secure,
For His truth unchanging
  Makes the triumph sure.

Chosen to be soldiers
  In an alien land:
Chosen, called, and faithful,
  For our Captain’s band;
In the service royal
  Let us not grow cold;
Let us be right loyal,
  Noble, true, and bold.

By Thy grand redemption,
  By Thy grace divine,
We are on the Lord’s side;
    Savior, we are Thine.

        lyrics by Frances Ridley Havergal

Lord Jesus, I know that there are times when I get so weary of the battle, and just want to "check-out" for a while.  Help me to remember that there is no neutral ground.  If I am not gaining ground for Your kingdom, then I am losing ground.  Rest is good, and commanded by You, in order for us to be fully used by You.  But, seeking neutrality....is an illusion, a deception.  Please show me when I am being deceived, and rejuvenate me for the battle which will only end when You pronounce final judgment on the Enemy and throw him into the Lake of Fire for eternity.  In Jesus' name, amen.