The Myth Of Neutrality

D. PEOPLE WHO CROSS FROM ONE KINGDOM TO THE OTHER.

1. Those who deny Christianity. "Some . . . concerning faith have made shipwrecks, of whom Hymenaeus and Alexander, who I have delivered unto Satan" (I Tim. 1:20).

2. Those who were never Christian. "They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us" (I John 2:19).

3. Those who backslide. "But it is happened unto them (backsliders) . . . the dog is turned to his own vomit again" (II Peter 2:22).

4. Those who embrace false doctrine. "Some have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam" (II Peter 2:15).

5. Those who sell out to the flesh and the world. "If after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein . . . the latter end is worst than the beginning (II Peter 2:20).

E. PEOPLE WHO THINK THEY CAN DEPART

CHRISTIANITY AND LIVE IN THE MIDDLE.

1. Depart by neglect. Some wrongly stop giving attention to basic Christian discipline, i.e. prayer, Bible study, church attendance, etc. "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together, as the manner of some" (Heb. 10:25).

2. Drawn off by temptation. Some wrongly stop following Christ because they have started following the world. "Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica" (II Tim. 4:10).

3. Default by neglect. Some wrongly think they can be neutral so they neglect Christianity.

4. Departure because they are busy. When we say "I’m too busy" we are saying three things.

a. I’m a "half-time" Christian who doesn’t put Christ first.

b. I’m a "used-to-be" Christian who has stopped making time for God.

c. I’m a "never been" Christian who has never given my time, talent and treasure to God.

5. Departure because they are making money. "But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows" (I Tim. 6:9, 10).

6. Departure because they want to have a good time on Sunday. "For men shall be lovers of their own selves . . . lovers of pleasure, more than lovers of God" (II Tim. 3:2, 4).

F. YOU CAN’T LIVE IN TWO WORLDS

1. Both sides have a kingdom. God calls His the Kingdom of God. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matt 6:33).

Satan is called "the god of this world" (II Cor. 4:3). He has a kingdom, "If Satan cast out Satan . . . how shall his kingdom stand?" (Matt. 12:26).

2. Both sides want your loyalty. "If the LORD be God, follow Him" (I Kings 17:21).

3. Both sides want your worship. The desire of God, "The Father seeks people to worship Him"

(Jn. 4:24 NKJV). The desire of Satan is to be worshipped. "I will give you all of this (kingdoms of this world) if you will bow down and worship me" (Matt. 4:9).