Neutrality

The next characteristic mark of the professing Church in its closing state is neutrality, "neither cold nor hot." It is very solemn to see that indifference to Christ is the producing cause of this lukewarm state. In Laodicea He is outside, and they are neutral inside!
The saints, if true to Christ, would be intolerant to evil; patience and long-suffering would assuredly mark them in their actions as well as in their spirit. But where these blessed qualities are pleaded for a toleration of sin, and a course of action is attempted to be founded or based upon this, it is clearly the spirit of this neutrality concerning which the Lord says to Laodicea in His indignation, "I would thou wert cold or hot." Moreover, on heavenly ground there can be no such principle. "Art Thou for us, or for our adversaries?" is the abiding illustration and witness of this great fact.
May I not appeal to another solemn witness of what I am setting forth? If the history of God's testimony during the past century be prayerfully read and pondered, it will be seen that at this very day the fruit of this principle of neutrality abides. Oh, for eyes to see and hearts to feel for Christ in all this. Then it will be clear to us as taught of God that the path of safety is the path of faith, and that holiness is, as it were, the very pavement of that way, and that Christ's company is enjoyed by those who walk in that way. This and this alone can suit Him, and He gives us to know how blessed it is for us.
We rejoice that "there is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: the lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it." It is a divine path because it is above the wisdom and knowledge of the most acute creature. Moreover, this wisdom cannot be procured by man as such, for he "knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.... The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold." Job 28:7, 8, 13-15, 19
Such, then, is the nature and value of the path of faith and wisdom in God's estimate of it. When He further proclaims its character to men, notice His words: "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding." Job 28:28.