apathy – La Vista Church of Christ

Of Airplanes, Bicycles, and Christians

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 20:11:37 +0000

by Tim Stringer
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 21 No. 2, June 1995

Ever stop to ponder why an airplane stays in the air? Or why a bicycle rider defies gravity, balancing on only two wheels? The airplane flies, and the bicycle rider balances because they move. If an airplane’s speed drops below a certain point, the wing stops providing lift, and the plane falls out of the sky. When a bicycle rider comes to a stop, he must either put his foot down or pick himself off the pavement.

How can a Christian today remain a Christian tomorrow? By continuing to move. “But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (I John 1:7). A Christian remains a Christian by maintaining his fellowship with God. When a Christian ceases to “walk in the light,” he severs his relationship with God and falls away. The walk of a Christian is always in the present tense.

A Christian remains a Christian by constantly working in God’s kingdom. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58). A Christian must always abound in God’s work. A child of God can never sit down and say. “1 have done enough for God in my life. ” The Lord says, 'Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life'” (Revelation 2:10). God’s retirement plan is out of this world.

When an airplane stops moving in mid-air, it falls and crashes. When a bicycle stops moving, it falls. When a Christian stops walking in the light or ceases to abound in the work of the Lord, he falls.

Is There a Minimum?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 00:35:57 +0000

by Ron Boatwright

Many people want to know what the bare minimum is they can get by with in their lives. Additionally, some Christians aim to maintain a minimal level of spiritual engagement. But does God allow a bare minimum? Jesus says, “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). If we really love God, we will want to do all we can.

Some may ask, “How many times a week do I have to go to church?”, or “How much do I have to give?”, or “How much do I have to do?” This is the wrong attitude. Jesus says, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do'” (Luke 17:10). If we try to get by with the bare minimum in our spiritual lives, we will most likely be horribly surprised on Judgment Day when we hear the Lord say, “Depart from Me” because we have not faithfully done the will of the “Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21-23). It will be too late then. It will be final. Can we do too much for the Lord? No!

We must do the most we can for the Lord. We must “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (I Corinthians 15:58). Our number one priority in this life must be to go to Heaven when this life is over. God “is a rewarder of those, who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). But we must diligently seek God if we expect to receive the reward of Heaven. The Bible says, “Therefore, brethern, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure” (II Peter 1:10). But we must be “looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God” (Hebrews 12:15). We can definitely fall from the grace of God even though Satan says we can’t.

What about those who are lukewarm? Jesus says, “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:16). Those who are lukewarm make Jesus sick at His stomach. But Jesus promises, “Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).

Let’s make sure we go to Heaven. Nothing is as important.

The Danger of Quietly Walking Away

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 16:03:18 +0000

by Cleve Stafford

Picture yourself out on the open water in a small boat. The waves are gentle, the wind mild, and the sun warm on your face. You close your eyes just for a moment to enjoy the peace. But when you open them again, you realize something chilling: you’ve drifted far from the shore. You never meant to move. You didn’t even notice it happening. And yet, here you are—farther than you ever planned to go. That’s the image that always comes to my mind when I read Hebrews 2:1: “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”

It’s not a picture of someone rushing headlong into sin or rebellion. No, it’s more subtle than that. It’s about drifting unintentionally, quietly, almost peacefully away from the truth we once held so close. Remember, this passage is addressed to new unbelievers. It’s written for folks like us - people who’ve heard the gospel, believed it, and even suffered for it. People who know Jesus. However, the writer still says, “We must pay much closer attention.” Why? Because even Christians, maybe especially Christians, can drift.

Now listen to how he continues in Hebrews 2:2-3: “For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?” It doesn’t say “reject” or “deny” or “mock” salvation. It says “neglect.” Neglect is a slow fade. It’s the quiet choice not to open your Bible one morning, then two, then a week. It’s the subtle shift from being excited about worship to showing up out of habit. It’s the drifting away from prayer, from the people of God, from the mission we once felt so passionate about. Not because we stopped believing, but because life got busy, and our faith got pushed to the side.

The writer of Hebrews is waving a bright red flag: Don’t let that happen. Don’t think you can neglect Jesus and escape the consequences. The message given by angels, the Old Testament law, carried serious consequences for disobedience. And now, the message we’ve received was not delivered through angels but through the Lord Himself. Hebrews 2:3-4 continues: “It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.”

This isn’t just another message in a long line of religious teachings. This is the message spoken by Jesus, confirmed by eyewitnesses, supported by miracles, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. When I think about that, I have to ask myself: Am I paying closer attention to what I’ve heard? Or am I just coasting along, assuming I’ll be fine? I think about friends who used to sit beside me in the pew. Brothers and sisters who once spoke with fire in their hearts about Jesus, but have since drifted away. They didn’t make a big announcement. They didn’t renounce their faith. They just... stopped coming. Stopped reading. Stopped caring. And now, I wonder if they even remember the joy they once had.

Could that happen to me? Could it happen to you? Of course, it could. That’s why we need to wake up, not in fear but in love. The kind of love that remembers what it felt like the first time we truly heard the gospel. The type of love that moves us to open the Word, pray sincerely, and show up to sing even when we don’t feel like it. Jesus hasn’t changed. The salvation He offers remains as great as ever. But the only way to stay close to Him is to pay attention - to keep our eyes fixed on the shore, to keep rowing toward Him, even when the waters seem calm. Because drifting may happen unnoticed at first...until you realize how far you’ve gone.

How Do You Use the Church?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 15:43:48 +0000

Author Unknown

Some people use the church as a fire escape – no special joy in it, just afraid of going to hell.

Some use the church as a spare tire – they do not want to use it, but are afraid to be without it.

Some use the church like Sunday clothing – they wear it only once a week or on special occasions; it’s only for show.

But a few use the church as a vineyard – working diligently in it to make ready for the coming of the Master, and the rest from our labors, which He will provide.

Drifting Away (Ellison)

Jeffrey Hamilton — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 15:47:44 +0000

by Kyle Ellison

The Bible warns Christians that there is a reality of drifting away from the Lord if we are not careful.

Have you ever been enjoying a day in the ocean only to look up and realize you are far past where you entered the water? Perhaps you didn’t even realize you were now hundreds of feet down the shoreline!

You see, drifting from the Lord can be just this subtle. Can I share a significant symptom that almost always manifests when drifting begins? As a preacher, I can tell you that almost always, the first significant sign of drifting in the life of a Christian is a developing indifference toward whether they attend the church assembly or not. Now, I realize some circumstances prevent this, but those drifting will often be seen doing everything else in their life, but cannot be found on Sunday when God’s people gather.

Do you know what is happening? They are drifting. They do not push, prioritize, and long for worship with fellow brothers and sisters. It starts with a miss here, a miss there, and then the saying is true! “The more you miss it, the less you ‘miss’ it!”

As one drifts, one becomes weaker in one's faith, compromising a bit here, allowing this sin, overlooking this sin, and participating in that sin. What is happening? They are drifting!

Brothers and sisters, drifting can happen; before you know it, a shipwreck is imminent! Examine yourself, be honest, and ask if you have drifted.

Just as Israel had a habit of doing, so do we tend to backslide into a place of danger, and worst of all, our souls are at stake in such times as these. If you are drifting, will you make it right?

“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12).

“Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away” (Hebrews 2:1).

We often see people who fall away from the Lord, get weak, disappear from the assembly, and the next communication they get from us is some form of letter communicating discipline. This is not God’s plan. If those who are weak are not being bombarded with love, cards, encouragement, and care, then what fellowship is there to withdraw?

We can hardly expect people to be saddened by losing something that did not even exist. Give this excerpt a read!

“Removal of fellowship was a serious tool Jesus wanted His church to use to bring about repentance.

The natural implication, of course, is that the fellowship and love of the church would be so valuable and so sorely missed that it would be hurtful to have it taken from one’s life. Where threat of eternal punishment is sometimes too distant to motivate people, showing them the immediate price tag of sin through the loss of family is God's way of showing the sinner just how painful sin is. However, if the threat were simply ‘You have to go somewhere else on Sunday’ — essentially what it amounts to now-the correction would hold little chance of effecting change. When Christ's church is such a small part of its peoples lives, having it taken away feels like a rather small cost.

However, if the church were something more, if it were truly the family and support system we see in the Scriptures, being cut off from such a situation would be devastating. The distinction between being part of the church and separated from it would be noticeably different, which was clearly God's intention.

In the institutional, business-like model of church, the guilty party can simply move on to the next one, akin to getting kicked out of McDonald's and walking across the street to Wendy's. But if there exists within a congregation something that simply can't be found elsewhere because it is powered by God and shared among people who have sacrificed everything for Christ, one can't just replace that by driving to join a church down the street or in the next town. It only works this way if church is more.” [Jack Wilkie, Church Reset]

Dead Wood Among the Branches

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sat, 25 Jan 2025 20:28:31 +0000

by Jack Behle
via Sentry Magazine, Vol. 9, No. 11, November 30, 1983

The teacher tenure law in our state protects teachers against being dismissed arbitrarily after teaching in a district for five years. In fact, it is very difficult to fire a tenured teacher, no matter what the reason.

The law was designed to give academic freedom and promote quality education, but all too often, it has been abused. Once some teachers make tenure, they think they have it made. They have sort of a once-saved-always-saved mentality. They are no longer conscientious. They tend to cause more disruption when things don't go their way. They do just enough to draw a paycheck and escape insubordination, one of the grounds on which they could be fired.

Charles McGehee, in the Chronicle of Higher Education, May 12, 1982, speaks of the dead wood that has been allowed to remain on faculties due to abuses of the tenure laws. He classifies this dead wood into the following types:

Unsure: These teachers may actually be sure within themselves yet refuse to admit it. They constantly seek one more proof and, therefore, do very little.
Ignorant: These may have some knowledge of their specialty, but they seem unable to relate it to the rest of the world.
Inept: Teachers who never want to leave the area of their own specialties. They fear making a mistake.
Scared: These are unsure of where they are going. They fear that their goals may not actually be worthwhile and don't want to take anyone else there with them.
Tired: These have been sure, knowledgeable, capable, and fearless. Now they are just tired. These need some motivation.

Application to the Church

Many concerned Christians wonder about the apparent lack of growth. We plan "campaigns" to promote growth, but the problem may be that there is just too much deadwood among the Lord's branches. If everyone did exactly as I do, would the vine be all deadwood?

One way the Lord described His relationship with His followers was as a vine and branches (John 15:1-4). The same types of dead wood seen on school faculties can be seen among these branches, perhaps for the same reasons. Maybe we think we have tenure.

The unsure profess belief but are not really bold enough to take a stand. Like Peter, when confronted, these decide to deny (John. 18:25-27). They constantly want a little more knowledge, a little more proof before they will go teach another. Like Thomas, they want to see the marks in Jesus' body to be sure (John 20:24-29). They are not really ready to give an answer for their hope (I Peter 3:15). They need to be as sure as Paul in II Timothy 1:12.

"For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day."

The ignorant really don't know enough to teach others. Whose fault is that? The parents, elders, preachers, and teachers might share the blame, but the responsibility for knowing belongs to each of us (Hebrews 5:12). The word was written for our learning and belief (John 20:30-31; II Peter 3:1-2). Are these anything more than dead wood who will not learn the word of the one they profess to follow?

The inept do not handle God's truth rightly (II Timothy 2:15). These could do more damage than good as they try to teach others their misconceptions (Matthew 23:15). Besides destroying themselves, they lead others to be lost (II Peter 3:16). These must practice using the truth aright. Let them practice, exercise, and learn under the watchful eye of someone more skillful (Hebrews 5:13-14).

There are more scared than want to admit it. These know whom they have believed, have practiced, and learned, yet they fear failure. Someone might show them up. Once again, pride gets in the way. These need to remember the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). God doesn't require more than we can deliver. If rejection occurs, it is God being rejected, not some man. They need to remember Paul's words in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things in Christ which strengtheneth me."

Finally, there are the tired. These have been faithful, courageous, skilled, knowledgeable, and sure. Now they are just tired. They have been at it too long and number too few. But they need to be reminded to keep on trying. Like Elijah, they should not think they stand alone (I Kings 19:14-18). Remember Galatians 6:9:

"Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Jesus continues in John 15:5-7 describing our relationship to Him as a vine and branches. He says the dead wood will be collected and burned. We don't want to be fuel for that fire. To escape, we need to get nourishment from the vine. Feed on the word of God (Matthew 5:6; I Peter 2:2). Learn the word of God and learn to use it. Grow in zeal. As Paul said in Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom..." Teach it to another who can teach it to another (II Timothy 2:2).

Remember, there is no tenure in Christ. Don't be complacent. "Let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall" (I Corinthians 10:12).

At Ease in Zion

Jeffrey Hamilton — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 02:17:30 +0000

by Kyle Ellison

Spiritual apathy can be one of the most dangerous situations that a Christian finds themselves in …. the symptoms look like this:

Less prayer.
Justification for consistently missing services, but find yourself doing other things. It becomes easier and easier to miss gathering with God’s people.
Less Bible reading.
Becoming comfortable with worldliness.
Becoming comfortable allowing a little sin here and a little sin there.
Less motivated to share the Gospel.

These are all symptoms of a deeper heart problem, much like a fever. The fever may not be the sickness, but it signals an ongoing infection. May we not become apathetic and careless in our service to God. Often, this happens slowly and over time! It is a dangerous place to allow yourself to be, and if you are there now, I would urge you to wake up, get back, and draw near to God.

"Woe to those who are at ease in Zion ..." (Amos 6:1).

Why Churches Die

Jeffrey Hamilton — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 16:05:42 +0000

by Mike Riley

The following are this writer's observations over forty years as to why churches die. I’m certain that we can all relate to at least one of the categories listed below:

Churches Die at the Tables of Compromise

When the church fights worldly influences such as sin and false doctrine — asking no quarter nor giving any — it prospers. In years past, while brethren bore scars and lost a spiritual battle now and then — they did not lose the war. A two-edged sword was in their hand, and on their side was a divine defense none could penetrate (Ephesians 6:10-17). However, compromise opened the gates and sheathed the sword of the Spirit. The appeal to “Let’s not dispute with people or hurt their feelings” caused many problems. That appeal is the cankerworm and caterpillar that devours any church — until it is at last dead, stripped of its courage and faith.

Churches Die of Indifference

All churches lose members through death or moving away. However, indifference or spiritual laziness revises the directory and waits only for move-ins and births. No effort is made to restore the fallen as Scripture demands (Galatians 6:1-2). No seed is sown (cf. Luke 8:5-15; I Corinthians 3:6-9). No one conducts home Bible studies (Acts 5:42). There is no zealous pursuit of souls (Matthew 28:19-20; Luke 15:4-7). That church will gradually, eventually, and ultimately die (Revelation 3:1-6).

Churches Die from Misdirection

They adopt worldly religious ideals. They see the church as a social reform agency, a general benevolent society, or a recreational institution. Its spiritual mission is all but forgotten (Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16; II Timothy 2:1-2; 4:2). The harder they incorporate these worldly ideals, the more worldly the church becomes. Ultimately, it is a grotesque caricature of the Lord’s church as described in the New Testament.

Churches Die from Apostasy

hey are content to open the doors three times a week, have a meeting once a year, and paint the building when it begins to peel. They go in circles, constantly wearing the ruts deeper and deeper. They press without a real goal, running on the treadmill until the church dies (Hebrews 3:6-12; Hebrews 6:4-6; cf. II Peter 2:1-2; I John 4:1).

Is the Death of a Church Inevitable?

Is such a death, as described above, inevitable? Must the Lord’s work be wasted? No, not at all! The Lord has a spiritual prescription to prevent such a death:

“Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us” (II Timothy 1:13-14).
“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching” (II Timothy 4:2 ESV).
“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (I Timothy 6:12 ESV).
“Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (I Timothy 4:16).
Preach “the whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).

Brethren, may we have the faith, the zeal, and the backbone to take this spiritual prescription.

Is the Seed Still in the Barn?

Jeffrey Hamilton — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 23:47:22 +0000

https://www.lavistachurchofchrist.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Is-the-Seed-Still-in-the-Barn.mp3

Text: Haggai 2:10-19

I. After the people returned from captivity, work began in rebuilding Israel.

A. The people quickly laid the foundation of the temple, but the work stagnated.

B. The people were distracted with rebuilding their own homes and efforts to produce a living.

C. Over time they became apathetic. For 16 years nothing happened.

D. The prophet Haggai arose at this point to stir up the people

E. All their sacrifices can’t make something or someone holy. Holiness is not communicable.

F. But their sins and uncleanness are communicable. They can cause the holy to become unholy.

G. Haggai 2:15-19

H. “Is the seed still in the barn?”

1. It is a rhetorical question. The answer at this point in the year when the question was asked is “no.”

a. It is mid-December. It is in the end of the planting season in Israel.

b. The rainy season is about to begin.

2. God has been punishing them with damaged harvests trying to get people to wake up and return.

3. They had ignored God’s message, but now, finally, they have returned to building the temple.

4. Despite the past difficulties, they still committed their grain to the fields.

a. It is too soon to tell what the results will be. The rains haven’t started yet. The trees and vines are still dormant.

b. Yet there is a reason they put out their grain in advance.

c. They had hopes of a good crop.

5. God is saying they don’t have to guess.

a. God is going to bless them because they have finally put Him first.

b. Their sacrifices were going to make them holy

c. Their obedience demonstrates that they are holy

II. Seed is used frequently in the New Testament as a metaphor

A. The incorruptible seed - I Peter 1:22-25

1. Each of us were conceived of corruptible seed

a. We were born into this world as mortal beings.

b. We grow, but all too soon we begin to decay, grow old, and then one day die.

2. But Christians are born again of the water and Spirit - John 3:5

a. Brought forth by the word of truth - James 1:18

b. An implanted word (image of seed) able to save our souls - James 1:21

c. That incorruptible seed, the word of God, can produce immortal people - I Corinthians 15:42-54

3. For 2000 years the gospel has brought new life to sinful, dying people. It hasn’t change. It endures. But it changes people in whom it is planted.

B. Parables of Seed

1. One seed produces different results. How? The results depend on the soil in which it is planted - Matthew 13:3-8, 18-23

2. The seed is good, but the enemy is also sowing tares in the same field - Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43

3. The seed looks insignificant and is easily overlooked, but it will germinate and grow into something marvelous - Matthew 13:31-32

4. But consider the question from Haggai. What if the seed is left in the barn?

a. Can it produce?

b. Would it help or hinder the work of Satan?

c. Satan wants the seed to stay in the barn.

C. That seed is Christ - Galatians 3:15-16

1. God fulfilled his promise to Abraham, to bless the whole world through his descendant.

2. The eternal one, Christ our Lord, produced a bumper crop. The Jews alone were not saved, but salvation reached the Gentiles

a. All Christians are born again - Galatians 3:26-29

b. We become Abraham’s seed

3. The world of tares, the secular world, doesn’t want the seed sown.

a. If Christians exercise their faith, they want it out of sight where it won’t cause offense

b. That is why religious expressions are being battled. No prayers in schools. No indications of religious faith in the work place.

c. Keep it hidden in the churches and homes. Keep it in the barns.

III. Are we keeping the seed in the barn?

A. Has it taken root in your heart?

1. When God asked through Haggai, “Is the seed still in the barn?” the answer was “no.”

a. It had been invested in the soil of Judea.

b. God held its fate, and He promised a good return if they did as He asked.

2. Are we leaving the seed in the barn? Are we letting it take root in our own lives? - James 1:21-25

a. The seed has no effect if it is not used.

b. Look at your life. Do you see an overgrown weed patch? - I John 3:6-10

c. Show evidence that God’s word is growing in you - I Peter 2:1-3

B. Are you sowing it in other fields?

1. The seed is sown when we share it with those around us - Galatians 6:7-10

2. Seeds of kindness, seeds of joy, seed of doing good -- these help our neighbors; but nothing compares to sowing seeds of the gospel in the hearts of our neighbors.

3. Do you recall the parable of the sower?

a. The seed was richly scattered over a variety of soils.

b. The sower wasn’t selective

c. Nor should we be selective. Spread the word. Let it fall where it may.

d. The sprouting depends on the people receiving the word, not the sower.

4. It can and will make an impact because God promised a bountiful harvest - Romans 1:16-17

C. Are you ready to sow?

1. It is unfortunate that some act ashamed of the gospel.

2. We are timid with it. We aren’t prepared for the opportunities - I Peter 3:15

3. Study so we need not be ashamed - II Timothy 2:15-16

4. Give it the attention that it deserves - I Timothy 4:13

D. Are you sowing the wrong seed?

1. Has there been a change in your life? - Ephesians 4:17-24

2. People think they become children of God, but they continue to plant seeds of destruction. How will the word of God ever take root? - Colossians 3:5-15

3. Imagine putting in a new lawn and sowing it with dandelions and crabgrass.

a. Even a mixture of good and bad seed would be ridiculous.

b. So why do people approach Christianity part way? - Romans 13:11-14

IV. If eternal life really matters to us, then why is the seed still in the barn?

Based on a lesson by Jeff S. Smith.

Apatheism

Jeffrey Hamilton — Fri, 14 Apr 2023 21:23:22 +0000

by Doy Moyer

According to James Sire, apatheism (a combo of “apathy” and “theism”), “a term coined in 1972 by sociologist Stuart D. Johnson, holds that whether God/gods exist is simply an irrelevant question. (Why should I care whether God exists or not? The answer to the question has no practical relevance to my life.)” (The Universe Next Door, p. 58).

Apathy may well be the last straw. There’s nothing we can do with “I don’t care.” I would rather an atheist argue strongly with me than shrug with an off-putting “whatever.” “I don’t care” is the last indicator of a seared conscience. But it does mirror the “pitiless indifference” at the bottom of Dawkins’ godless universe. If there is nothing at the bottom of the universe that cares, why should we? And where does “care” come from at all?

Yet apathy happens among God’s people who know that, of all people, they should care the most.

Once we become apathetic, then for all practical purposes we are apatheistic as well, for we are acting as if we don’t care whether God exists. Or if we would say that God exists, we may assume that He, like us, does not really care about what we do. The psalmist speaks of this attitude among the wicked: “The LORD does not see, nor does the God of Jacob pay heed” (Psa 94:7). It is a catastrophic failure to assume that God does not see or does not care about what we do.

There is a reason the Lord told a lukewarm church, “Be zealous and repent” (Revelation 3:19). We fall into this pattern of thinking we are just fine, so we need nothing, particularly when it comes to spiritual growth. That failure to pay attention to our growth is fatal. We then leave what is supposed to be our first love and we think it does not matter.

I cannot make an apathetic person care, but I do pray that there is something deeper within our consciences that would spark some level of concern for what we are and where we are going. Do not let any form of apatheism take hold, for it can do no good for anyone.