The Leading Cause and The Remedy for Apathy In The Church
There's little doubt that the past two years have significantly impacted The Church. Phrases like "pre-pandemic and post-pandemic" indicate new realities and how we're all trying to deal with them. Most noteworthy is the increase in apathy toward God and the relevance of The Church.
In a recent study by Lifeway Research, 3 out of 4 pastors acknowledge that apathy or a lack of commitment is a people dynamic they find challenging in their churches and the greatest one they need to address.
Though the study doesn't address the reasons for the increase in apathy, this isn't a new problem. Whenever God's people face abundant prosperity or extreme difficulty, apathy toward God and rejection or indifference toward his ways is an actual probability.
The Cause of Apathy
According to Dictionary.com, apathy is the absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement; a lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting.
There are many ways a person can become apathetic, lose passion for God, and lack concern for the things God cares about. Still, one of the fastest ways to get there is self-sufficiency, which is in large part made possible by material affluence.
There are many examples of apathy toward God in the Scriptures, but none is more clear and concise than the message Jesus has for the Church of Laodicea in Revelation 3. Jesus says to them:
"I know your works; that you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:15-16 ESV)
Jesus, in no uncertain terms, tells them that it's their apathy, being neither hot nor cold but indifferent and unconcerned, that will cause him to spit them out of his mouth. He's not addressing a physical condition; he's addressing a spiritual one.
To all the seven churches Jesus spoke to in Revelation, he had at least one positive thing to say, except for those in the church of Laodicea. Instead, he says to them, "You say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked." (Revelations 3:17 ESV)
Here was this church that probably had the best location, best building, best worship, best everything, except God wasn't among them. They were playing a part, pretending to be spiritual while living indifferent and unconcerned lives about God, his work, or his kingdom.
In their deception, they believed God's provision and blessing were a sign of his approval and an indicator of their spirituality. They thought they were fine; they no longer needed God, his grace, or presence. "All good here, God. I don't need anything."
It would not surprise me if the Laodicean church did a bunch of seemingly good things for their community and beyond. Shoes and clothes drive for the poor, Christmas gift boxes, and mission trips to Israel were probably part of their outreach ministry. But the motivation for these, if they existed, and the sacrificial-less generosity it might have invoked in them didn't come from a passion for God and His Church.
Is there a resemblance between the Laodicean Church and today's American church? Wealth among our congregants is increasing, but giving to churches, serving, and a willingness to sacrifice decreases. Wealth has so insulated us from life's difficulties that our need for God has diminished, and what he wants loses out to our competing interests and many pursuits.
Self-sufficiency caused by material prosperity was the problem behind the condition of the Laodicean believers, and it's not a stretch to see that it's one of the leading causes of apathy in believers today. Here's an excerpt from an article by Cross Leadership addressing the cause of apathy and its direct connection to material prosperity:
Material prosperity
One reason why apathy sets in is because of material affluence. Affluence is not merely a material phenomenon; it affects the spirit, too. As we amass creature comforts, there can be a corresponding sag in the spirit — a comfortable, situated, and uninspired sort of spiritual complacency. This is apathy. Living as we are in a world brimming with material prosperity, it can affect any one of us.
The Remedy for Apathy
Jesus is graphic [spit you out of my mouth] in his response because the Laodiceans were stuck. They were neither passionate for God that he might use them for his work, nor were they opposed to God's work. They were passive observers who didn't possess the spiritual or emotional fervor to pick a side. In this state, Jesus tells them that they are beyond help, lost, and useless to him. So he warns and instructs them:
"I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself and the shame of your nakedness may not be seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, so that you may see." (Revelation 3:18 ESV)
I love that Jesus uses the word buy because it's something they could easily associate with. It's as if he's saying, I know you're used to buying stuff, now buy from me. He tells them to buy gold, another well know commodity to them, but not just any gold, gold refined by fire. Why? "so that you may be rich." Jesus is okay with them and you being the right kind of rich.
The salve is for seeing, but not for seeing other people or things; that's what got them into their current predicament. It is for seeing Jesus himself and everything he offers. Psalms 16:11 reveals the benefits of seeing and being with Jesus. "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore."
The Laodiceans were searching for satisfaction and pleasure in all the wrong places. Jesus invites them to look to him and put on white garments, the symbol of purity in character and action. In his presence is the true joy and pleasure we're all seeking, and it's the only way to become truly rich.
Jesus provides the remedy for apathy, and it's a fresh encounter with God. Turn to Him and see His greatness, experience His power, feel His presence, be with Him and learn from Him. Such an encounter will transform you and expose everything else you're pursuing as worthless rubbish by comparison.
Our Turn
Apathy was the cause of the Laodiceans' spiritual complacency. Because of their material affluence, they became concerned only with themselves, their needs, wants, and desires. Spiritually, there is no worse place to be.
In this condition, truth becomes relative, a sentiment now largely embraced by our culture. Self-gratification is the norm making people dull and unable to hear God's Spirit, who brings revelation, which leads to conviction, repentance, and transformation.
Two things are needed to cure spiritual apathy. Turning to him must include repenting and renewing our commitment to Jesus as Lord. To the Laodiceans and us, Jesus says, "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." (Revelations 3:19-20 ESV)
Jesus had every right to be angry and condemn the Laodiceans for their apathy. But anger isn't what motivates Jesus to confront people; it is His love. His correction and discipline come from the deep concern and care he has for us. Most remarkable is the posture Jesus takes toward all who have shut their door to him.
He stands at the door of your heart, knocking and asking to be let in. There's no banging or shouting. He's using that still small voice to draw your attention, convince you to accept his invitation, and let him in so he can dine with you and be in you.
I'm not sure how this article impacts you today, and I pray you are on fire and full of passion and excitement for God. But if you're not, don't be discouraged; there's hope and an opportunity to rekindle your love and excitement for God, to cast off spiritual apathy and pursue Him once again.
Take time to reflect on these words of Jesus. Apply them to your situation, and let his love, his reprove, and discipline do their work so you can experience Him again and all the good he wants to pour into you and into the world through you.
For Further Reading:
4 Things You Can Do to Make Sound Financial Decisions in Financially Lean Times
Stewardship for the Entire Congregation
12 Ways to Leverage Giving Data: A Ministry-First Approach To Generosity
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