The Bulletin
of the
Church of Christ at New Georgia

Tim Johnson, editor

November 25, 2007

 
In This Issue:
Apathy's Antidote
by Steve Klein

We'll Work Till Jesus Comes -- On OURSELVES
by Tim Johnson

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Apathy's Antidote

   Apathy is defined as "a lack of feeling or concern: indifference."  

  We've often heard others complain that "nobody cares" about the underprivileged or the righting of wrongs in society.  Uncured social apathy has long been with us.  Helen Keller said that, "Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all -- the apathy of human beings."  That being said, religious apathy has not always been as widespread as it is now.  American history is filled with examples of religious passion.  But today, apathy is a growing problem in our country and in the church. 

  One indication of the problem is seen in the increasing lack of concern for attending church. Recent studies by the Barna Group have shown that from 1992 to 2003 the average attendance at a typical church service has dropped by 13% whereas the population of America has increased by 9%.  Their research also indicates that at the present rate of change, most Americans will identify themselves as non-religious or non-Christian by the year 2035.   Corresponding to these figures, other studies have shown a continued decline in general Bible knowledge among the American population.  The sad reality is that if we asked the typical American, "Is the biggest problem in the religious world today ignorance or indifference?" most would probably respond by saying, "I don't know and I don't care!"

  The Scriptures command that Christians be "fervent in spirit, serving the Lord" (Romans 12:11).  The word "apathy" should never describe our service to the Lord.  Yet, how much concern are we showing in our service?  Are we attending as we should?  Do we involve ourselves in church work according to our talents?  Do we study our Bibles?  Do we talk about God's truth with others?  Are we striving fervently to live godly lives?  If we're honest, most of us would probably admit that we do not show enough concern for these things.

  What is the cure for spiritual apathy?  To my knowledge, there is no support group that one can join to overcome apathy.  There is no such thing as Apathetic's Anonymous, and if there were, no member of the group would care enough to tell you who they were or where they meet. 

  So, what's the cure for apathy?  Peter tells us in second Peter the third chapter.  The coming of the day of the Lord will cure apathy!  Peter reminds us that the day of the Lord will come, and that just as surely as God once destroyed the earth with water, He will destroy it again with fire.  He says, "The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up." (2 Peter 3:10).  If we accept that, we won't be apathetic!  Peter goes on to say, "Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,  looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God&ldots;" (2 Peter 3:11-12a).

 Everyone will have their religious apathy cured by the day of the Lord.  Either you will swallow the cure in this life by accepting the reality of His coming or the cure will be forced upon you on that day.  When the Lord returns and the earth is destroyed, everyone will care about their service to Him.

-- Steve Klein

 

 We'll Work Till Jesus Comes -- On Ourselves

   "There remains therefore a rest for the people of God, for he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience" (Hebrews 4:9-11). We see from this passage of scripture that God has promised a rest for his people. But, we also see that His people must work in order to obtain that rest. A familiar hymn that we sing, We'll Work, Till Jesus Comes, speaks of sighing for a rest when we shall lay our armor by and dwell in peace at home. The chorus of this hymn exhorts the singer to be persistent in this work, "till Jesus comes."  One area in which this work must be done is on ourselves. Please consider the following passages:

  1. II Peter 1:5-11 - Here, we are given a blueprint for building upon our faith. We are to add to our faith virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. Notice in verse 5 that we must give "all diligence" to add these things. In verse 10, we are admonished to "be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things, you will never stumble."

  2. Colossians 3:1-15 - Work on ourselves begins with making the effort to properly set our minds to the task: "&ldots;seek those things which are above&ldots; (v.1); "Set your mind on things above&ldots;" (v.2). Just as in our secular jobs, numerous actions are employed in accomplishing the task: "&ldots;put to death your members which are on the earth&ldots;" (v. 5); "&ldots;put off all these&ldots;" (v.8); "&ldots;put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering&ldots;" (v. 12); "&ldots;put on love&ldots;" (v. 14); "&ldots;let the peace of God rule in your hearts&ldots;be thankful" (v. 15).

  3. II Peter 3:14, 18 - At the close of Peter's second epistle, he urges his readers to work on themselves: "&ldots;be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless&ldots;but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ&ldots;" Yes, growing involves work on ourselves. Being found "without spot and blameless" also requires work, hard work on ourselves.

  4. Hebrews 5:12-14 - We should be conscientious enough about the work we do on ourselves so as not to be found as the Hebrew Christians: "for though by this time you  ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God&ldots;"(v. 12). We must work on ourselves until we are "of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (v.14).

  5. Philippians 3:12-16 - We must never fool ourselves into thinking we have reached a plateau where we cannot learn anymore or improve ourselves. We must have the mindset that Paul had: "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected, but I press on that I may lay hold of that which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

   Are you pressing toward that same goal? Or, have you left the work on yourself undone, requiring someone to teach you again? Are you making the effort to be found "without spot and blameless"? Have you set your mind to the task at hand? Are you following the blueprint laid down in God's word? It requires work, you know - lots of hard work! Will you work - on yourself - till Jesus comes?

 -- Tim Johnson