Welcome. Today we’re going to be talking about indifference in the church, and in the world today. This is important because indifference is running rampant throughout our world today. You find so many in the world that are just fence sitters and who will not commit to anything or anyone. They want to play the middle of the street on all the issues. Well let me tell you something; when you play the middle of the street, you’re bound to be hit by a truck.

Look at our world today. We don’t have people just flocking to church services by the bushel to learn about and worship the Lord. They are just fine sitting at home watching the football game or just sleeping in. They are not on fire for God nor do they feel the spiritual need to learn and grow as a Christian.

Indifference has become our religion. We don’t want to let go of our self-serving, egocentric, wishy-washy ways. To do so requires not only a bit of work on our part, it is not the popular choice either, and we surely don’t want to offend anyone do we?

Well I have no problem offending people. That’s fine with me. I only care about the Lord and His view on things. I will work to be a better Christian, but I don’t care to be a better ‘buddy’ or something like that. My devotion is to God first, and if that is offensive, fine. I do not want to ever be indifferent.

Make no mistake, I fight the urge too, I sometimes want to be the cool one and fit into the crowd and want to take a ‘hands-off’ view of theology, but I can’t. We aren’t supposed to do this, and we need to work hard and make sure we don’t. God charges us with some pretty serious responsibilities in this old world, and we have to live up to them the best we can. To do so, you have to overcome this idea of being indifferent. You have to follow the commands of God, preach the kingdom of Christ to all the world. You have to be separate from the world, and not mindful of the world’s carnal view on things.

Let’s look at a few examples of what indifference can be. We’ll be using an old Webster’s Dictionary for our reference. Indifference: Neutral; not inclined to one side, party or thing more than to another. Unconcerned; feeling no interest, anxiety or care respecting any thing. It seems to be impossible that a rational being should be indifferent to the means of obtaining endless happiness.

None of these definitions fit what a Christian should be! It is nearly a statement of exactly what a Christian should not be! But yet the world today is still filled with people who are just out and out indifferent when it comes to their faith.

What reasons would people have for not being interested in religion? I don’t mean necessarily organized religion, but what I do mean is the faith, the truth, the heart of the matter. Religion as in the truth of the Bible, the words that God has left on this earth for us, that’s what I mean.

Satan is using indifference as one of his most powerful weapons against Christianity and against God. Satan knows that if he can create indifference in a person they will not seek to grow spiritually, and they absolutely will not share their faith with others. If they aren’t concerned for their own spiritual health, they will not be out there preaching to the world and plucking souls from the fire by leading them to the Lord. It’s just not going to happen.

Let’s take a moment and look at some of the reasons that people are indifferent towards religion.

One reason is because of materialism. This is something that comes up frequently for me, and that’s because it’s so pervasive in our world. What do I mean by materialism? It is when you put possessions and the accumulation of wealth above and beyond your service to the Lord.

Materialism runs our world, it is integrated quite deeply into the capitalistic system in which we live. The accumulation of wealth is something that has become ingrained into our collective minds. Many of us are brought up believing we have to have all these worthless possessions to prove our value to the world. This could not be further from the truth of course.

But the need to keep up with the Joneses is overwhelming in our world. Look at how credit cards have become ubiquitous in our nation because people cannot wait to have the funds to buy something, they have to have it on the spot as quick as possible because they are deeply mired in this system of materialism.

In the United States, one sixth of the world’s population controls nearly one half of the world’s goods. Because of this, most people that are into materialism, and ‘getting the finer things in life’ have little or no time for anything other than getting more and more money so they can obtain more and more stuff. They don’t have any time for spiritualism or God.

(Rom 8:5) For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. (Rom 8:6) For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. To be materialistic is to be carnal minded, and that is death as we are told here.

(Mat 6:24) No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. This is a truth in our lives too. You cannot focus on getting better things, or living a better lifestyle, or whatever you want to call it, and still focus on God. You either serve the almighty dollar, or you serve the true God of the universe, you cannot serve both.

No matter what Jesus told us, so many in the world today just seem to plug their ears and go on about their greedy ways. They don’t listen to the word, or they think that materialism is a side effect of being alive in our world today, and don’t realize that they are actually making an idol for themselves to worship by doing what they are doing.

Let’s look at the writer of the Book of Ecclesiastes. He went down the road of materialism and found himself with nothing at the end. He concluded that it was vanity and folly to walk this self serving path.

(Ecc 2:4) I made me great works; I built me houses; I planted me vineyards: (Ecc 2:5) I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits: (Ecc 2:6) I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees: (Ecc 2:7) I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me: (Ecc 2:8) I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I got me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts. (Ecc 2:9) So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. (Ecc 2:10) And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labor: and this was my portion of all my labor. (Ecc 2:11) Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labor that I had labored to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.

He realizes that truth, love, and value lie with the Lord, and not with the physical world. Here’s another verse I just love from this book that I believe is so fitting. (Ecc 5:10) He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.

(Ecc 12:13) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. What a truth we are given here! God is who our thoughts should be on, not on our lifestyles or worrying about getting better things. Let God work in your life, and let materialism fade away into nothingness. That is what is good in life, not what kind of shoes you wear or what neighborhood you live in.

Another reason why people are indifferent towards religion is because of humanism. Humanism is another devilish philosophy that, if not kept in check, can consume and overwhelm a person’s mindset and spirituality.

What am I talking about? Humanism promotes man’s own wisdom and intelligence. This elevates man above God which is always a recipe for disaster. Humanism is running rampant in our world today and is often promoted heavily in the college level education system. Many outright atheists claim humanism as their philosophical outlook.

Humanism promotes man’s well being with no mention of God. God is removed from the mix. He is not given any credit, and man is elevated to nearly the point of godhood. This oftentimes is the basis for a ‘man-is-god’ mindset, thinking that man is the pinnacle of all creation and that there is nothing beyond man. This is clearly wrong and damaging to man’s spiritual growth.

You see, Jesus taught that we have to deny ourselves, where humanism teaches that we have to honor ourselves. This is clearly contradictory to the truth of the Bible. This kind of principle cannot be reconciled to Christianity, no matter how hard people try.

(Gal 6:3) For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.

Another reason why people are indifferent on religion is because they don’t really even understand Christianity. This kind of misunderstanding is sadly common in the world. Few in this world care to fight against the ignorance, and so erroneous beliefs continue to be spread across the breadth of the land.

You would not believe the things I’ve heard attributed to the Bible because of someone being ignorant of what the Bible really says. I’ve been told that the Bible tells us that China will invade and overtake the United States without a shot being fired. They will then rule us and make us all communists or something.

Of course this is not in the Bible. Neither the United States or China either one are listed in the text anywhere. I know this could be a form of interpretation of the Book of Revelation, but it isn’t even an informed one. If you believe this to be true, I expect that you should be able to at least tell me where you got these ideas.

For example, say you believe this, and I ask you why. If you tell me that you believe the beast from the sea in Revelation and the beast from the land to be the two nations, at least you are educated enough in your information that you can point me to the general area you found what you think you have.

But the people that tell me things like this don’t know if its from the Book of Revelation or from Exodus. They are absolutely clueless and only have heard someone else say what they said since they clearly have not done their own research on the subject. They likely took an interpretation that someone else held and claimed it, maybe even putting some of their own views on things in there, all likely without Biblical support. They then don’t know for sure where the information come from, only that they have ‘heard’ it, and they assume it to be true. They are indifferent as in the fact that they will not do their own research into the matter.

Many people also have negative claims against Christianity that they also have no support for, and have only heard about the information from someone else who likely heard it from yet another person. Most of the people that pass on the information do not actually check it, they just parrot it to the next person and on down the line.

They say that Christianity is for the weak minded and a reversion back to childhood dependencies. This is just foolish. It is not stupid to depend on God, it is wisdom to turn to a being that is far superior and all knowing. Why would you not seek the advice of such a being? We revere and listen to the wise elders among us, why would we seek to deny the wisest of all?

There is nothing weak minded about being a Christian. We have to think for ourselves and try all spirits against God to see what is true. Christianity is not a sheeple religion. You have to have your mind about you, you have to engage yourself and think for yourself. You have to come to God yourself. These things are important. You can’t just plop down and expect to be spoonfed everything. That’s not how it works. You have to do your part in your spiritual growth to become a better person in the Lord.

This is a misunderstanding between non-believers and believers. Most likely the non-believers see hypocrites and the clueless, probably all people that are not saved at all in reality, and think that their behavior is the model for all of the faithful when it is not. The truly faithful engage their minds for God, think for God, do for God, love for God, and make God first in their hearts and minds.

Many people base their information off people that either only attend because of tradition, or those that are once or twice a year Christians that allow the dust to gather on their Bibles.

These people say they are Christian but are they really? Do they know what Christ said in the Bible? Have they read Jesus’ book? Have they studied His life and His philosophy? Do they know His teachings? If not, then how in the world are they Christians? They are claiming the name, but if they don’t know anything, they are most likely imposters.

What would you said if someone said they were a Marxist but they didn’t know any of Marx’s teachings, haven’t read any of his books, and don’t know any of his philosophy? You would tell them that they weren’t truly Marxist, just someone that has claimed the name. True Marxists would know these things, just like true Christians know about Jesus and God.

Hypocrisy is another reason why so many are indifferent to religion and the church. Division in the church leads to even more hypocrisy as people stop looking to God and start judging and nitpicking at each other.

If a lawyer finds a problem with a legal document, he is expected to point the mistake out. If a doctor sees something that is dangerous to someone’s health, they are expected to say something but let someone point out an erroneous belief and they will be violently and viciously attacked. People are attacked and ripped up viciously even when they come forward with the most loving of spirits.

(2Ti 4:2) Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2Ti 4:3) For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; (2Ti 4:4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

We have far too many unconverted, carnal, and wicked members in the church today. Instead of being corrected and brought forth to the truth, we put up with the darkness that is clouding the congregations and just go forth like nothing is the matter. These people then spread their darkness through their actions and before you know it, the entire church is tainted.

Then other people that are not yet believers look at this and take away the wrong idea that all Christianity is the way that the one group is. This of course is not true. We must work to keep ourselves open to correction and reproof. I have had my share of corrections in my life, and I do not mind them when they come.

Fellow Christians have come to me in my lifetime and told me that I was off base on some point or another, and I have learned to open my heart and mind and listen to these people. I have been able to grow and learn because I don’t turn people out just because they are seeking to correct me on something.

We have to be able to adjust ourselves as believers as we learn and grow in our spiritual lives.

So many people look at believers and think ‘well if your religion hasn’t done more for you, why should I care?’ People become indifferent when they fail to see material growth for the believers. This of course is the appeal of the gospel of prosperity where the person is told they will be lavished with worldly goods for their faith.

We are not to expect that. We are storing our treasures up in Heaven where thieves are powerless and there are no moths.

We are to be the salt of the earth. What does salt do? It preserves things. We are to preserve the Word of God, and spread it about the planet. What else does salt do? It irritates. If you aren’t irritating someone in your walk with Christ, you’re not doing something right.

The world is naturally for the flesh and against the spirit. This means when you walk in the spirit and do things from the spirit, you are going to be going against the fleshly world. And because of that, you’re going to irritate someone at some point. So be irritating by being steadfast in the spirit.

We are also supposed to be lights to the world as well. (1Pe 2:11) Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; (1Pe 2:12) Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

Shine to the world and show the world the truth and goodness that is God.

This is important because of the fact the world will quickly know who you are. Your fruits are quick to ripen in any environment. If you are a cheat and a liar, everyone will quickly know. If you are honest and trustworthy they will know that too.

Claim the name of Christianity and then show bad fruit and you will add to the indifference that the world feels for religion.

Another reason why indifference is running rampant so badly in our nation is because we are a nation saturated in sin. Look at something as ‘innocent’ as television. There are multiple shows on about witchcraft and psychics, some of those shows are even aimed at children.

If you can avoid those shows, you are flooded with sex and other inappropriate subjects. If you actually find a good show to watch, the commercials for beer and sexual products are overwhelming. It is getting to the point that no matter what you watch, something is assaulting your sensibilities. It is even worse when you have children as I do and there are all these ads for sexual products that just makes me horribly uncomfortable to view with my children in the room.

I’m actually embarrassed to view these commercials with any female in the room. They are tacky and deal with things that are not meant for the public arena. A great deal of these would be unthinkable to view on television even ten years ago. Now these things are allowed and are everywhere, and we’re told to just put up with it.

There are over six million alcoholics in this nation. There are thousands of murders every year. There are a huge number or rapes each year. Crime is running rampant and we’re seeing high profile cases all over the place.

It’s very easy to get caught up in this sin-sick society as divorce rates skyrocket and abortion becomes more and more commonplace. When you live in a society with all this darkness, don’t be surprised when your eyes begin to dim!

When this happens to the faithful, and those that are in and associated with the Church, the world thinks of us as hypocrites. This just adds to the indifference that people have for religion since they think to see themselves as better than some hypocritical group.

(Mat 24:35) Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. (Mat 24:36) But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. (Mat 24:37) But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. (Mat 24:38) For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, (Mat 24:39) And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

The times of Noah and Lot were filled with trouble and strife on the world. In fact, they were days filled with a world that was covered in sin. These days are coming to us again as we move closer and closer to the end times. (Luk 17:26) And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. (Luk 17:27) They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all.

I want to end with “A True Disciple” which goes like this:

If you follow Christ - -

When public opinion opposes,

When the church and state are hostile,

When high society disapproves,

When your devotion brings sneers and jeers,

When your fellow disciples turn back,

When your relatives and friends frown,

When it means a personal loss,

When you must follow alone - -

You are His disciple indeed.

Let’s do all we can so that each and every one of us can be true disciples indeed. Let’s destroy religious indifference anywhere and anytime we find it. May the glory of the Lord reign supreme. Until next time, God bless.

This entry was posted on Thursday, February 5th, 2009 at 7:36 pm and is filed under Uncategorized | . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.