In areas where moral and spiritual values are concerned, neutrality is that twilight zone of irresponsibility which plays directly into the hands of evil.
We hear much of neutrality in nations today. History shows that there have been only a few nations which have remained “neutral” in times of international conflict, and this neutrality has often paid off handsomely in material advantage.
Today neutrality is assuming increasingly ominous proportions, for many who call themselves “neutral” are actually unwilling to commit themselves for or against communism, and in so doing they have left the free world to carry the burden while they themselves reap benefits from both sides.
The basic philosophy of the so-called neutral nations became even clearer during the recent Belgrade conference. At that time these nations were willing to denounce any act of the West which could be interpreted as preparation for defense against Moscow while the renewed nuclear testing by Russia was largely ignored.
A Christian’s primary concern, of course, is not in the realm of international politics. We are subjected daily to the temptation of remaining neutral in the area of spiritual and moral issues. This is a deadly sin.
In the Revelation we read our Lord’s comment to the Laodicean church: “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.”
Many characteristics of the Loadicean church are to be found in the churches of America today and these characteristics are but the elongated shadow of those who comprise her membership.
The affluence of our churches today is a deadly menace.… Are we not wretched in our wealth and sophistication, miserable in our lack of spiritual perception, blind to the opportunities, privileges, and responsibilities which are ours? Are we not naked as we stand revealed in the clear light of God’s judgment?
Too many of us are indifferent when we should be deeply concerned. We affirm our belief that Christ is man’s only hope and then spend dollars on self-gratification and pennies, if anything, on making Christ known to a lost world. This very indifference may some day rise up to smite us as God finds it necessary to use other channels for the proclamation of the Gospel.
These are days when Christians should act, but because we are infected with a deadly spiritual ennui we wait complacently for the world to be evangelized, and hope that it will be accomplished without our having to do much to further the end.
Few of us have ever made a clear-cut decision to serve God regardless of the consequences. Few of us have exercised our priestly authority over our own homes and with Joshua declared, “But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Neutrality in spiritual and moral matters makes us fearful when we should be fearless, and silent when we should speak out. The forces of evil are in evidence on every hand, but few of us speak out against them, nor do we dare stand up and be counted when the issue is drawn by others.
Woe to the individual who feels he can be neutral when to do so means that he takes his place on the side of evil. Sins of the spirit and of the flesh are all about us. We cannot be neutral even if we so desire—for silence gives consent to the thing against which we should take a stand.
It is impossible to be “neutral” about Christ, either we are for him or against him. To ignore him is to take one’s stand on the side of his enemies.
Furthermore, it is not possible to be neutral about vital Christian doctrines, those which have to do with the person and work of our Lord. In every generation there are those who deviate from Christian truth and there are those who accept these deviations without protest.
We are not speaking of areas of the Christian faith on which good men can and do differ, that is, areas which have nothing to do with salvation itself. We are speaking to the necessity of convictions and actions where the Bible itself leaves no doubt as to the Christian’s duty.
Our Lord confronted Peter with a query as to whether he too would turn away from him. There was not neutrality but a ringing certainty in Peter’s reply: “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
In Christian faith there can be no neutrality. And in Christian practice there is no room for the deeds of Satan. Christianity and the Church have been gravely compromised with the world by those who are unwilling to take a stand for righteousness.
What is the cure for the disease of neutrality in the face of spiritual and moral demands?
The Laodicean Christians were counseled first of all to recognize their own pitiful state: they were naked when they thought they were clothed, poor when they thought they were rich, blind when they thought they could see. Then they were told to seek the cure for spiritual blindness.
Certainly one of our greatest needs is spiritual discernment and judgment. One’s Christian witness can be gravely affected by a lack of either. There are many situations where the Christian should remain silent, just as there are others where silence involves denial of our Lord and his truth. It is in this realm that spiritual discernment is so greatly needed and comes solely by the presence and illumination of the Holy Spirit himself.
Another need is convictions resting squarely on God’s revealed Word. That we live in a time of theological uncertainty and compromise none can deny. No longer do the clear affirmations of the Scriptures carry full weight with many people who stand in the breach between the living and the dead. Because of a neutrality stemming from theological compromise too many persons are placing their emphasis on secondary rather than primary matters.
We witness the strange phenomena of men affirming and acting on the strongest kind of convictions on social, economic, and political matters while at the same time equivocating when it comes to basic truths on which the eternal destiny of men depends. This neutrality with reference to the eternal verities is causing men to waver and turn away. Because of the uncertain sound of the trumpet the battle of the ages is, from the human standpoint, in doubt.
Nothing could do more to revitalize individual Christians and the life of the Church than a shift from neutrality to bold faith on the side of the One who someday will triumph.
His future is certain. Is ours?
