Title: Is Neutrality Possible in Religion?
Text: Matthew 12:30 — "He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad."
Introduction
In our modern world, "neutrality" is often viewed as a virtue. We strive for neutrality in politics, in judicial systems, and in our personal opinions to maintain peace. Many people attempt to apply this same logic to their spiritual lives, claiming they are neither "for" nor "against" Jesus. They believe they can occupy a comfortable middle ground—admiring Christ’s teachings without committing to His Lordship.
However, Jesus shatters this illusion of a safety zone. In Matthew 12:30, He presents a binary reality: in the spiritual realm, there is no third option. Every soul occupies a position. To avoid a decision is, in itself, a decision. Today, we will explore why spiritual neutrality is impossible and why God demands a definitive choice.
I. Christ Demands a Definite Position
Scripture: Matthew 12:30; James 4:4; John 14:15
Jesus does not leave room for the "casual observer." He defines our relationship with Him in absolute terms.
• Two Sides Only: Jesus declares that if you are not actively "with" Him, you are "against" Him. There is no "no-man's-land" in the Kingdom of Heaven.
• Friendship vs. Enmity: James 4:4 warns that friendship with the world is enmity with God. We cannot hold hands with the world and Christ at the same time.
• The Litmus Test of Love: In John 14:15, Jesus says, "If you love Me, keep My commandments." Obedience is the visible proof of our position. One cannot claim to be "neutral" while living in disobedience.
Application: Indecision is not a pause button; it is a slow "no." To withhold your "yes" from Christ is to remain in a state of rejection.
II. Biblical History: The Call to Decide
Throughout the Scriptures, God’s leaders have consistently forced the people to step out of the shadows of neutrality and into the light of commitment.
• Moses in the Desert (Exodus 32:26): After the incident of the golden calf, Moses stood at the gate and cried, "Whoever is on the Lord’s side—come to me!" The Levites didn't just nod; they moved. Action is the language of decision.
• King Asa’s Firmness (2 Chronicles 15:16): King Asa removed his own grandmother from her position because of her idolatry. Loyalty to God often requires making difficult choices regarding our closest earthly ties.
• Joshua’s Challenge (Joshua 24:15): Joshua didn't ask the people to "think about it." He demanded, "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve." He made his own position clear: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."
• Elijah’s Confrontation (1 Kings 18:21): On Mount Carmel, Elijah asked the people, "How long will you waver between two opinions?" The Hebrew word for "waver" suggests a bird hopping between two branches or someone limping. God finds spiritual "limping" unacceptable.
III. The Rejection of False Neutrality
Scripture: Revelation 3:15-16; Luke 14:26-27
Many believe that being "lukewarm" is safe because it isn't "cold." God thinks differently.
• The Danger of Lukewarmness: To the church in Laodicea, Jesus said that because they were neither hot nor cold, He would spit them out of His mouth. Neutrality is nauseating to God. It is the pretense of faith without the power of devotion.
• Discipline and Obedience: 2 Thessalonians 3:6 tells us to withdraw from those who walk in disorder. Truth requires us to draw lines. We cannot be neutral toward sin if we are to be faithful to God.
• Absolute Priority: In Luke 14:26-27, Jesus explains that following Him must take priority over everything—family, comfort, and even our own lives. Anything less than total commitment is a failure to follow.
IV. The Consequences of Attempting Neutrality
The "middle ground" is a dangerous place to stand for several reasons:
1. Personal Delusion: James 1:22 warns that being a hearer but not a doer results in deceiving yourself. You may think you are safe, but you are adrift.
2. Lack of Relationship: Salvation is a covenant, and you cannot have a "neutral" covenant. Without a decision for Christ, there is no union with Him (John 3:18).
3. Spiritual Stagnation: Those who refuse to commit never grow. They remain "infants" who cannot digest solid food (Hebrews 5:12-14).
4. Final Judgment: We will all give an account (2 Corinthians 5:10). On that day, "neutrality" will not be a valid defense; only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life through a definitive act of faith will be saved.
See Also
- Which is Better: To Hear the Truth or a Lie?
- Can a Man Rob God? Malachi 3:8
- Lessons from the Fall of King Uzziah 2 Chronicles 26:16–19
Conclusion
Is it possible to be neutral in religion? The weight of Scripture answers with a resounding No.
In a war, the person who stands in the middle of the battlefield without a uniform is likely to be hit by both sides. Spiritually, standing in the middle is not a position of peace; it is a position of peril. Jesus is not looking for admirers; He is looking for disciples. He is not looking for "neutral" observers; He is looking for those who will take up their cross and follow Him.
The question is no longer "Can I be neutral?" but rather: "Whose side are you on today?"
