Apathy In The Church
Webster defines apathy as, "Want of feeling, lack of passion; emotion or excitement, indifference to what appeals to feelings or interest." To be apathetical, is to be void of feelings, not susceptive of deep emotions, impassive. Apathy is seen as a state of mind brought on by any or all of the above conditions. That the church is troubled in varying degrees by this affliction, is plain to see. But for every effect we look for a cause. Several causes, it seems to me, are apparent. In Micah we read of God's controversy with Israel. Through the prophet he asks, "0 my people, what have I done unto thee? And wherein have I wearied thee? Testify against me." The Israelites were apathetical in their want of feeling and indifference to God's favors. Not susceptive of deep emotions toward him. Micah sets forth their answer wherein they hope to regain God's approval of them. Their burnt offerings had not been sufficient; their offering of thousands of rams and rivers of oil, was unreasonable if not impossible, and the offering of their offspring's was downright sinful. After all, he only required them to do justly, love mercy, and humbly in his sight. These things they were able to do. He had been reasonable in his demands.
Have we become weary in well doing? Have the commandments of God become odious? If so, what are the causes? Could it be we have lost our love for the truth and become so sated with good preaching to the extent they seem trite? I frequently hear members complain by saying: "Why does he keep harping on that subject?" Has our knowledge increased, and our faith reached the point where we no longer need to be reminded of our duties? Some stand as surely condemned as were the Israelites in Micah's day. Will our puny and ridiculous overtures to God's mercy be any more acceptable than theirs?
Another cause is we are not the Bible studying people we once were. We have left our thinking to the elders, preachers and teachers. We have become so weary and indifferent that we have adopted the practice of letting them do all our thinking and follow their directives blindly. Some elders are telling their flock to do what they say without question, and have sold them on the idea that if they should happen to lead them wrong, they, the elders would be accountable, and they free of guilt. This was the mode of reasonings and the chief excuse of those Germans tried in Nuremburg." We were simply following orders," they said. Their judges took a rather dim view of this and duly convicted and punished them. Will not the Lord feel the same toward us? I know a person, who in speaking of another, said, "Whatever he said or whatever action he took on church matters, she would accept without question." I am glad to say I've never met the man I had that much confidence in, and so trusted. Such feelings and attitudes smack too much of Catholicism. We are admonished and encouraged to do as the Bereans who, "Searched the scriptures daily to see if these things be true."
God has given man a mind capable of learning the truth and wisdom enough to discern between right and wrong. This cannot be done by proxy. We are cautioned to beware not only what we hear but how we hear. It's how we hear what we hear, that we will have to give an account for in the judgment.
Peter tells, "There are some among you who are sick, and some sleep." Let us, then be awake and alert. Our salvation depends on our zeal in this respect.
Brother J. D. Tant ended most of his articles by saying, "Brethren, we are drifting." To this I fervently say, Amen and amen!
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