the impossibility of neutrality

“He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.”

There are many people in every age of the church who need to have this lesson pressed upon them. They endeavor to steer a middle course in religion. They are not so bad as many sinners, but still they are not saints. They feel the truth of Christ’s gospel when it is brought before them, but they are afraid to confess what they feel. Because they have these feelings, they flatter themselves that they are not so bad as others. And yet they shrink from the standard of faith and practice which the Lord Jesus sets up. They are not boldly on Christ’s side, and yet they are not openly against Him. Our Lord warns all such that they are in a dangerous position. There are only two parties in religious matters. There are only two camps. There are only two sides. Are we with Christ and working in His cause? If not, we are against Him. Are we doing good in the world? If not, we are doing harm.

The principle here laid down is one which it concerns us all to remember. Let us settle it in our minds that we shall never have peace and do good to others unless we are thorough-going and decided in our Christianity. The way of Gamaliel and Erastus never yet brought happiness and usefulness to anyone, and never will.

—J.C. Ryle, ‘Expository Thoughts on Matthew’