The Blight Of Indifference: Part 2
At this time, we want to notice some things many are indifferent about. Many are indifferent concerning: (1) Problems that face the church - When doctrinal error is taught, when unscriptural practices are introduced into the work
and worship many take the attitude; "I know that's wrong, but I don't want to stick my neck out, I don't want to rock the boat." Let the elders and preachers settle it and I will do whatever they say. Whatever way the majority goes that's the way I
will go. I don't want to talk about it--I don't want to examine it with scripture. I just don't want to get involved. Friends, this attitude of indifference is contrary to god's way and God's Word. Jesus said in Matt. 15:14 - "If the blind lead the
blind, both shall fall into the ditch." Paul said God's people are a people that walk by faith and not by sight - 2 Cor. 5:7 and that "faith comes by hearing the word of God," Rom. 10:17. My friends, truth does not fear examination. Jesus said in John
3:19-21, "that light is com
e into the world and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be reproved, but he
that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." In apostolic times when there were those that would introduce that which was wrong, they were called upon to examine that wrong and turn away from
it. In 1 Thess. 5:21, the apostle Paul said, "prove all things: hold fast that which is good." In Eph. 5:6-11 Paul said, "Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience, be
not ye therefore partakers with them, for ye were sometimes darkness but now are ye light in the world; walk as children of light. For the fruit of the spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth: proving what is acceptable unto the Lord and
have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkn
ess, but rather reprove them." My friends the church has always had problems. Jesus warned that offenses must come but woe unto that man that brings them. Those that stand opposed
to and expose religious error are not those that cause the offense, but those that introduce unscriptural practices are those that cause the offenses. The apostle Paul said in 1 Cor. 11:19 - "For there must be also heresies among you, that they which
are approved may be made manifest among you." We cannot be indifferent, unconcerned and go along with religious error and not raise our voice in opposition and stand approved in God's sight.
Let us notice
another thing many are indifferent about. (2) The scriptural welfare of our children: Be welfare we mean their spiritual happiness and prosperity. Now I am sure none would admit this to be true, but by our actions we reveal that it is. In this
society in which we live, parents many times get so involved in activities that they do not have any time left for the spiritual training of their children. We get involved in our work, many times both parents work. We get involved in the PTA - band
patrons - 4H - boy scouts - basketball - football - tennis - golf - fishing - hunting - in home improvements and we don't have any time left for our children's spiritual training. We leave it to the public school system to provide their moral training.
Friends, I am sure that school teachers would be the first to tell us that the school does not and cannot provide moral training. Their purpose is to teach our children arithmetic, writing, spelling, English, but not morals. Many parents employ
th
e use of movies and TV to serve as baby-sitters for their children and to occupy their time. Here without supervision, our children see burlesque and strip-teasers. They are taught how to commit crimes, they see immorality
glamorized, their minds are fed full of corruption of every kind. Then when these young people get in trouble, we ask, why? We think we have provided them with everything. Have we not given them a home to live in, clothing to wear, food to eat.
Yes...But we have been unconcerned about their spiritual welfare. Jesus tells us in Matt. 15:19 - "out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things that defile a man."
Jesus is telling us that which we think about, that which we see, read and hear are things that shape our actions. A child who is left to movies and TV without supervision is going to accept those principles that he sees and hears. God has established
the home as the institution where children
are to be taught morals and receive religious teaching and training. We have children in our homes under our guidance for 18 - 20 years, this is the time and the place to train and develop
their minds. this is the time to develop their morals. This is the time to teach them about God and Christ and the church. The apostle Paul said in Eph. 6:4 - "and ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and
the admonition of the Lord." Solomon said, "train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it." "Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him." "Withhold
not correction from the child; for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Thou shalt beat him with the rod and shalt deliver his soul from hell." "My son keep thy Fathers commandments and forsake not the law of the Mother. Bind them
continually upon thine heart and tie them about thy neck when thou goest, it sha
ll lead thee; when thou sleepest it shall keep thee; and when thou wakest it shall talk with thee. For the commandment is a lamp and the law is a light and
reproofs of instruction are the way of life." Friends, we are living at a time and in a society of great wickedness. I don't know of a time in the history of mankind when young people have had to face so many temptations. The temptation is there to
engage in all kinds of wickedness. Our young people are being continually bombarded with alcohol - drugs - fornication - adultery - all kinds of sexual uncleanness - cheating - lying - stealing - abortion - evolution - and hundreds of false religious
doctrines. Our young people need parents who are concerned about their spiritual welfare. Our jails and our penitentiaries are full of young people. We are told ten young people every day take their lives here in America because they cannot cope with
life. We who are parents cannot afford to be indifferent and unconcerned. We must get involved in planning
and providing for the spiritual welfare of our children.
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