apathy

Apathy Is Destroying Some Individuals & Some Churches of Christ

For too long now, apathy has been eating up all too many followers of Jesus Christ and rendering them of little value in the kingdom of Christ. There is in many, an apparent lack of motivation, action, or dedication to spiritual matters. This ought not to be so! There are many causes for inactivity, it differs from person to person. We know what can often be the culprits, lets notice a few of them.

Some Causes of Inactivity
(1). A Weak or a lack of faith. (2). Ignorance. If one truly believes that all those who have yet to learn the truth of the gospel of Christ, and consequently have never obeyed the commands of said gospel, are destined to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone in eternal torment away from the presence of God, as the Scriptures clearly teach they will, (Romans 1:16-17; Revelation 20:12-15; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10; Mark 16:15-16; 1 Peter 1:22-25) how can one keep this soul saving message to one's self? Again I ask, how? One who believes will of necessity be motivated to spread the word (2 Timothy 2:1-2; 4:2).

It follows therefore that when one ceases to share the “good news” of Christ and His gospel with others, they have lost their faith in the fact that He is “the way, the truth and the life, and no one comes to the Father but by Him (John 14:6). How else can you explain it? Another of the major reasons of which I can think would be that one is ignorant of the above facts. Question? How then can one who is ignorant of those facts have been truly converted to Christ, himself? This is why for years now, I have said that I doubt the conversion of those who aren't motivated to share Christ and His gospel with friends, family, neighbors and business associates, etc. Some cases of which we may read in the N.T. confirms what I stated.

They Went Everywhere Preaching The Word..
The above is stated by Luke of folks who were scattered because of persecution. All but the apostles had to leave town for their own physical wellbeing for preaching the facts of the gospel, including the resurrection. (Acts 7:51-8:4). Please pause to read each Scripture citation before proceeding.

There Is No Record Of Any “How To” Classes
Sharing the gospel was simply a natural outgrowth of their faith in what they had learned and obeyed to become Christians. They were as the apostle Paul when he attempted to convert Agrippa to the faith. When Agrippa stated "almost you persuade me to become a Christian," Paul said he wished to God that he was both "almost and altogether such as I am except these chains" (Acts 26:28-29). I am not opposed to having a "how too" class to assist others in teaching more effectively. However, I have observed that if one's faith is sufficiently strong, one will find a way to get the message to others. Many of these folks must have been aware of what happened to Stephen and they were fleeing from Saul of Tarsus who “entering into every house, "haling men and women and committed them to prison" (Acts 8:3).

Our Wonderful Liberties May Just Work Against us!

It is so easy to take for granted that which is constantly available. If we were forbidden by our government to assemble for worship, study our Bibles and evangelize, we would probably be more involved in all of those areas of activity more consistently and fervently. Tell a person they cannot do something and that is the very thing they are bent on doing! Tell the same person they must, and they plant their feet and steadfastly refuse or make some kind of an excuse for their failure to be more involved. Example: Paint some object and place a sign “wet paint, do not touch!” Guess what? You guessed it, everyone tests it out to see if it really is wet. I am not suggesting that the Lord should have forbidden evangelism to get us to involve ourselves in such, but have you noticed that those folks He healed and said "tell no man" were the ones who couldn't seem to keep it to themselves (Mark 1:40-45;7:35-36). Christians have been “healed of a much greater illness” sin, how is it we are able to contain ourselves so well?

I suppose that in order to really fill our meeting houses and get folks to study their Bibles more, we will have to have those precious freedoms threatened or taken away by the governing powers. Too bad that people are like the old adage, "You never miss the water until the well runs dry." One second in eternal torment and one would give ten thousand worlds like this one for just a short time to take advantage of many blessings we so often take for granted.

"Christians" Often Seek Ways Not To Get Involved
Some folks are like Moses when called by God from the burning bush to deliver Israel from Egyption bondage. He began immediately to think of every reason why he just was not able to accept the task. God showed Him that His power would be with him in several ways, still, he said "send someone else." He said he could not speak well so God said Aaron will be your mouth. Finally, he got the message that all would work out well if only he would put his trust in Jehovah. So he went as called to do in the first place (Exodus 3:1-4:17). Paul was reminded that Christ's strength was sufficient for him, and even though he had a "thorn in the flesh" God was able to use him (2 Corinthians 12:8-10). Use Paul He did!

By divine inspiration Paul wrote a majority of our New Testament, and labored more abundantly than all the others whom Jesus called and installed into the apostleship (1 Corinthians 15:10). It was Paul who later wrote,"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). So can we, just as soon as our faith is sufficiently strengthened to believe it.

What A Communist Said He Would Do If He Believed What Christians Say We Believe
"If I believed, as millions say they do, that a knowledge and practice of Christianity in this life influenced destiny in another world, Christianity would be to me everything. I would cast aside earthly thoughts as vanities and earthly feelings as follies. Christianity would be my first waking thought, and my last image before sleep sank me into unconsciousness, I would labor in its cause alone. I would take thought for tomorrow and eternity alone. Earthly consequences would never stay my hands nor seal my lips. I would esteem one soul gained for heaven worth a lifetime of effort. I would go forth and preach Christ to the world, and my theme would be, "What shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul?" This statement shows that this atheist knows what must be believed by one who really is a Christian. He knows what the Bible says about the worth of one soul! Jesus said it exactly as he quoted it above in (Matthew 16:26). Do you and I believe it?

The world calls those of us who believe the above, fanatics. They may properly call us hypocrites if we claim to believe it and then do little or nothing to show that we actually do! What really matters in the end of course is what our Lord Jesus Christ thinks about each of us. We serve Him, not man. Whatever we do said the apostle Paul, should be done "heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;..." (Colossians 3:23).

"Christ Is Author Of Eternal Salvation Unto All Them That Obey Him" (Hebrews 5:9).
With the above in our minds, look at what the inspired record says to Christians. “Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light. See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:14-16).

Christians Are Admonished Not Only To Wake Up , But to Grow Up As well

"...It is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day.." (Romans 13:11-13a).

This same inspired writer admonished, "Brethren, do not be children in understanding;....but in understanding be mature" (1 Corinthians 14:20). Peter admonished also, "Therefore, laying aside all malice, all guile, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby , if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious" (1 Peter 2:1-2). Later in his second epistle the same writer encouraged us to "..grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18). Practice is one of the best methods of achieving spiritual maturity.

"Go On Unto Perfection"

Perfection as used often in Scripture, means mature or full grown. Jesus said we should "..be perfect because our heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:38-48). The context shows what He means: If you "turn the other cheek." If you "go the second mile." If you "love your enemies." If you follow the principles along these lines, you are "perfect" just as God is, in that He does what He should because of who (what) He is, regardless of what otheres do. This must be the proper interpretation since the man who says he sins not is called a liar and the one who says he has not sinned makes God a liar (1 John 1:6-10).

"..By ThisTime You Ought To Be Teachers.." (Hebrews 5:12-14)

With proper spiritual maturity comes automatically acceptance of greater responsibility, greater involvement in the work of the Lord. We learn to put Christ and the kingdom above everything else (Matthew 6:33). This doesn't mean we have no concern for our jobs, our family's needs, recreation, etc. We simply do as Christ would have us do while seeing to those legitimate activities which faithfulness to Christ also demands.

Mature Christians have vision and look ahead for how to best advance the cause of Christ both in their individual lives and in the working of the local church of which they are a member (Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Corinthians 12:19-27). The immature fuss and criticize. Don't just stand there, do something!