The Sting of Apathy

Racism, as you would know, is something a person learns, usually from their parents, from a very young age.

I will demonstrate that Apathy - A-Pathos (without feeling) is learnt the same way, especially in the church. I will ONLY use examples from personal experience with fellow Christians.

Example 1:

Ever since being old enough to discuss the subject of Evangelism, over forty years now, the first thing I would hear back then is how it is more important to "live the life than preach or talk about it". (Note also the Aussie saying - Never talk about religion or politics.) Nowadays people respond with fable that "Francis of Assisi said: 'preach the Gospel and if necessary use words.'" Is that what Jesus taught? Of course not, not even to the demonised lunatic (who had BIG ISSUES!) that ran naked among the rocks! He was sent straight home to the TEN cities to tell of what Jesus had done. He had not even had a discipleship training class.

The main point here - we change scripture to suit our temperament and nullify the command we are to follow. Apathetic to doing what God tells us to do. (see Acts 10:42)

Example 2:

Let's take a look at Mark's gospel ch 6 Vs 7-13. (Mark 6:7-13)

Vs 7 says "And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits."

Vs 8 "Take nothing for the journey." (This ensures they will rely on vs 7!)

Vs 12 So they went out and preached that people should repent.

Now how did they know to do that? Well they preached what Jesus had taught …

"Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." Note what the Gospel is at this point in time - the Kingdom of God is at hand. At this point Jesus had not been to the cross, and the disciples had no appetite for it (the cross).

Think about this definition for Repent:

Change your view and opinion about God with a view to changing your purposes and actions.

In verse 13 we see the demonstration of their message … "And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them." WHAT RESULTS!

When verses 7 and 13 do not fit with the theology we have been brought up with or our experience, we erase them by not speaking of such things. In fact there are quite a few subjects in that are taboo nowadays (Heaven, Hell, Holiness). Such is the onslaught of satan's lies amongst the dignified ranks of Christendom.

So we go paralysed to do the works of God, left to struggle in our meagre human resources, when "the weapons of warfare are mighty to pulling down strongholds" etc. and the bound STAY BOUND, the sick SUFFER and/or DIE because we refuse to accept scripture and hide it. Because it is hidden, we are apathetic to redeeming power in the gospel and leave the work God gave US to do, undone.

Example 3:

Let's talk about "spiritual Warfare". The way we Christian Westerners live, you wouldn't think there was such a thing, but I let me remind you, Satan and his horde are still here and active. Jesus has not yet expelled him and the evidence is loud (listen to the music) and clear (so much on display nowadays) besides all the abuses going on in our towns, cities and so forth.

Imagine Winston Churchill in the war room with his Generals during the war. What would they be doing? If you mention "Germany" or "Hitler" would the room go silent as if someone had cursed? I think not! However, we don't mention words like Hell, Demon in church nowadays because they upset the hearers. No, we don't want to give satan glory, but how do you win a war if you do not understand your opponent. How do you preach salvation if you leave out sin and its wages?

Meanwhile, the most commonly heard phrase today regarding spiritual warfare is "Satan was defeated at the Cross". This is true, however the context used is generally false and leads us to concluding there is nothing more to be done. The same way satan used scripture to tempt Jesus, he uses it on us, only we seem to lap it up.

The WAR IS NOT OVER. We must continue to battle for souls until Jesus' return. Unfortunately, misplaced scripture anaesthetises us, and apathy rules again.

Conclusion:

As you can see, these are all learned situations. We look to our pastors, teachers, read our sweet books, sing our emotional songs only to find that we must heed the voice of Jesus, who said "beware the leaven of the Pharisees" and later passages warning of human philosophy and doctrines of devils and demons.

May we return to fullness of the Word of God, so we can get back to proclaiming the Gospel, demonstrating the Kingdom of God is near, even upon us - in power, and find the perishing turning to Him who loved us from the beginning and poured His life out for ALL who would be saved.

Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

Amen