It's Pathetic to be Apathetic

Saturday, October 22, 2011

Reading: Nehemiah 10:36-39

Reflection: Some people get up in arms when people lash out in anger against the church and the gospel message the church seeks to proclaim. Many seem to think that it is the height of sinfulness and completely pathetic when people created by God are hostile to the very message provided by that creator for the welfare of His creation. And trust me, I understand the anger against this opposition. However, as bad as our culture's open hostility to the gospel might be...and it is bad...there is something much more sinister happening in our day. We need to be reminded that what is worse than the anger of unbelievers is the apathy of those who claim to believe. What is worse is the fact that seven out of ten Americans define themselves as Christian and yet never attend a local church, never read or study their bible, never tithe to the church or parachurch ministries, never seek to advance the message of the gospel, and never seek to bring their lives in line with the message of the Christian faith that they claim defines their belief system. What is much more pathetic than the anger of those who oppose our message is the apathy of those who say they do suppor the gosepl. In our reading today, we see that the chapter closes with a commitment on the part of the people to "not neglect the house of our God." In other words, they refuse to separate their faith from life. They will give offerings. They will offer their families. They will ensure that the worship of their God moves beyond lip service to heart commitment. Now, that is what is needed in our day. We need people who get beyond the apathy and are once again passionate to live out their faith. For the truth of the matter is this: Apathy toward a gospel that you claim saved your soul and defines your identity is truly pathetic.