When Gustavus Adolphus, king of Sweden, went over to Germany to help the Protestant princes in the cause of the Reformation, he was sorely tried by their lack of decision, and lukewarmness. On meeting the ambassador of the Elector of Brandenburg, he uttered these stirring and memorable words:
“This I say unto you plainly beforehand, I will hear and know nothing of neutrality. His highness must be friend or foe. When I come to his border, he must declare himself hot or cold. The battle is between God and the devil. Will his highness hold with God? let him stand on my side. Will he prefer to hold with the devil? then he must fight against me. A third position will not be granted to him.”
This is plain language, you say, my reader. Yes, the great king’s meaning is unmistakably plain, but not more so than that of the King of kings, the greater than Adolphus.
“No man can serve two masters,” He says. Again, He says, “He that is not with Me is against Me.” A great contest is being waged. The conflict is between light and darkness, righteousness and sin, heaven and hell. On the side of light, righteousness and heaven, stands Christ with His redeemed ones; on the other, is ranged Satan with his hellish host, and every man who has not yet come to Christ. There can be no neutrality in this conflict. No man can stand aloof and say, I shall for the present maintain a position of neutrality. This cannot be; decide you must! If you refuse, He reckons you among His foes. “A third position cannot be granted.”
Reader, in what position do you stand to Christ? Will you condemn His solemn declaration against neutrality? Beware, lest He come and find you in the ranks of the great enemy. Decide at once, and take your stand for Him. He is worthy, having died that you might escape the awful tyranny of the great adversary of souls.
Soon He will come to your border, and if lukewarm, you must expect to be spewed out of His mouth (see Rev. 3:1616So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16)). You cannot “pigeon-hole” this question. It must be faced honestly now, if you are to reckon on His acknowledgment in “that day.”
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that is not subject to the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:3636He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)) (New Trans.).
Life alone is found in Jesus,
Only there ‘tis offered thee—
Offered without price or money,
‘Tis the gift Of God sent free.