the impossibility of neutrality.
April 13, 2021•308 words
Let us observe, for another thing in these verses, how strongly our Lord teaches the impossibility of neutrality. He says, “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me, scatters.”
The principle laid down in these words should be constantly remembered by all who make any profession of decided religion. We all naturally love an easy Christianity. We dislike collisions and separation. We like, if possible, to keep in with both sides. We fear extremes. We dread being overly righteous. We are anxious not to go too far. Such thoughts as these are full of peril to the soul. Once allowed to get the upper hand, they may do us immense harm.
Nothing is so offensive to Christ as lukewarmness in religion (Revelation 3:16). To be utterly dead and ignorant is to be an object of pity as well as blame. But to know the truth and yet hesitate between two opinions is one of the chief of sins.
Let it be the settled determination of our minds that if we serve Christ at all, we will serve Him with all our hearts. Let there be no reserve, no compromise, no halfheartedness, no attempt to reconcile God and wealth in our Christianity. Let us resolve, by God’s help, to be with Christ, and gather by Christ’s side, and allow the world to say and do what it will.
It may cost us something at first, but it will certainly repay us in the long run. Without firm decision, there is no happiness in religion. He who follows Jesus most fully will always follow Him most comfortably. Without decision in religion, there is no usefulness to others. The halfhearted Christian attracts none by the beauty of his life and wins no respect from the world.
—J.C. Ryle, ‘Expository Thoughts on Luke’