Being Neutral About Jesus Is Not an Option
There Is No Switzerland in Eternity
Being neutral about Jesus may sound reasonable to many people, but Scripture does not allow such a position. To understand the idea of neutrality, we can look at one of the most well-known examples in world history: Switzerland.
In 1815, the international community officially recognized Switzerland’s neutrality. Historically, many trace Swiss neutrality back centuries, with important roots connected to 1515 and 1648.
During World War II, Switzerland became a place of asylum for over 51,000 people. Even today, Switzerland receives well over a thousand asylum applications in a typical month.
One of the significant attributes of mankind is our free will. We can choose the direction of our lives as well as a multitude of other options in life’s journey. This is not true everywhere in the world to the extent it’s realized in Western culture.
When it comes to politics, we can choose from any number of parties or none at all. Many even identify as independent, suggesting no firm allegiance to any established political creed.
For most decisions there is always a neutral option. Neutrality means not taking a definitive side. It’s to remain impartial about a subject.
Being neutral is a safe space in most instances. It’s also a position for those who are indifferent, having no interest in either side of a position. It’s the place where people go to find peace and avoid friction and disharmony. There is little demand placed upon people who strive to remain neutral.
Jesus Allows No Neutral Position
There are those who adopt a neutral mindset when it comes to Jesus. They believe they are neither for Him nor against Him. However, Jesus disrupted that notion in the Gospel of Matthew, when He clearly declared: “The one who is not with Me is against Me.” (Matthew 12:30)
There is no neutral position when it comes to Jesus. A person may think he is taking a neutral stance. However, in reality, he is standing against Jesus.
Why Jesus Came Into the World
What does this have to do with Jesus and salvation? God wants you to trust your eternal life to what Jesus did. In other words, you take God at His Word that He sent His Son into the world to save you. Therefore, you trust that Jesus saved you by paying the debt for your sins on the cross: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” (1 Timothy 1:15)
One could argue “I am not a sinner, so Jesus didn’t come for me. Therefore, He has nothing to do with me.” Unfortunately for this neutral person, the Bible teaches that we are ALL sinners and we all need salvation.
In this context, salvation means God delivers a person from the judgment of Hell and gives that person eternal life with Him.
This is not a pleasant topic, but it is the reality for every person. However, the Good News is that Jesus paid the penalty for our sins on the cross of Calvary. The apostle Peter says:
“He bore our sins in His body on the cross.” (1 Peter 2:24)
While still on the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” The term carries the idea of something completed, accomplished, or paid in full. Jesus paid the debt for our sins so that we would not have to pay for them in Hell for all eternity.
Being Neutral About Jesus Cannot Save You
Simply put, Jesus became our substitute. This is why neutrality toward Jesus cannot save anyone. You might say, “Great, then no one is going to Hell. Thank You, Jesus!” But that is not what Scripture says. It is true that no one has to go to Hell. Here is what Jesus said:
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
In order for the gift of salvation to be applied to a person, that person must “believe in Him.” The one who does not believe will perish, meaning he remains under judgment and faces eternal punishment in Hell.
Biblical Belief Means Trust
So, what does it mean to “believe in Him?” It’s not complicated, but first we have to be clear about what the word “believe” means. The Greek word translated ‘believe’ is pisteuo, and it carries the idea of trust or reliance. Biblical belief is not merely agreeing that something is true. It means trusting in Jesus.
Trusting is different than believing. We may believe that it is safe to take a ride in a hot air balloon. Recreational hot air balloons go as high as 500 to 3,000 feet. All goes well as long as the balloon doesn’t burst or a storm doesn’t develop. It’s easy to believe it’s safe, but it’s quite another thing to take the ride. Taking the ride means you trust the balloon’s safety.
What does this have to do with Jesus and salvation. God wants you to trust your eternal life to what Jesus did. In other words, you take God at His word that He sent His son into the world to save you, and, that he saved you by paying the debt for your sins on the cross.
To refuse to trust His sacrifice is to reject God’s Word. Scripture says, “It is impossible for God to lie.” (Hebrews 6:18)
This is not a trivial matter. The righteousness of God cannot be questioned, and the sacrifice of His Son cannot be ignored. God paid a very high price to save you from the penalty of your sins. To refuse His gift of salvation through faith is to reject Jesus.
The Eternal Cost of Being Neutral About Jesus
A neutral position about Jesus is not a safe position at all. You either trust in Jesus for salvation, or you die in your sins and pay the penalty. There is no neutral position. There is no other safe space. When it comes to Jesus, you cannot be indifferent. Indifference is rejection.
There is no Switzerland for you in eternity. There is only Heaven and Hell. The doorway to heaven is Jesus. Take Him or leave Him.
This is the costliest decision you will ever make. Good deeds cannot save you. Religion cannot save you. Also, your self-righteousness will not save you either.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of people who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them” (Romans 1:18-19)
You have all the evidence you need to trust in Jesus. Do not be among those who deny the evidence and suppress the truth. The price for choosing wrongly is devastating.
“And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
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