What Makes Men Indifferent?
Kerry Duke

Of all the problems facing the church, indifference is one of the most frustrating. Ignorance is a problem, but ignorance is removed when people are interested. False teaching is a problem, but as long as those believing it are interested enough to discuss the Scriptures, there is hope. Worldliness is a problem, but if people have any conscience left, it is possible to arouse concern. But how can you change people who don't care? If they are not concerned enough to listen, how can they learn the truth? How will they ever obey it?

The seriousness of this problem is tragic. People are lost but don't care. Churches are filled with worldliness, but members don't care. Preachers are leading congregations astray, but elders don't care. Indifference keeps us from reading the Bible. It hinders our prayer time. It keeps us from building the church. It causes us to close our eyes to sin and prevents us from seeing manifold opportunities to do good. It destroys the spiritual life of homes and turns churches into civic clubs. Indifference is a devastating enemy of the church and a shrewd device of Satan to send souls to hell.

Why are people indifferent? Remember that people naturally have interests, and though their interests vary, they are interested in something. Even people who seem to care for nothing are interested in doing just that—nothing! The reason men are indifferent to the truth, then, is that they are more interested in something else. The following points of interest are some examples.

Prosperity often leads men to be indifferent. This was the problem at Laodicea. Their attitude was "I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing" (Rev. 3:17), and this is why Jesus said they were lukewarm (Rev. 3:16). If we forget the God who gives us prosperity, we become proud, complacent, and indifferent. Who can deny that America has done just that? Spoiled by decades of unparalleled technology, we have become soft and lazy. Pampered by the comforts of wealth, we have forgotten the true riches in heaven. And should we wonder why the church is not growing as it once did? Americans within and without the church rely on their own powers and resources and feel little need for outside help—even help from above. The result is a feeling of self-sufficiency and spiritual indifference. And this indifference has grown worse as America has become more wealthy. I have heard preachers argue that the church will grow as fast today as it did in the 40s and 50s if we just preach the same gospel that was preached then. But they make a claim even Paul would not make. He said, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" (I Cor. 3:6). Indifference stunts spiritual and numerical growth, and though it is an unpleasant fact, it is a fact nonetheless that widespread indifference characterizes our nation and that our wealth contributes heavily to this condition.

The pleasures of this life cause indifference. Some of these pleasures are good and right; God gives us richly all things to enjoy (I Tim. 6:17). But recreation and entertainment can easily get out of control, especially when peaceful and prosperous times bring many such pleasures. People naturally prefer pleasure over pain, and our society is full of ways to make us happy. Our nation has become fun-filled and pleasure mad. Americans are easily bored. Many are addicted to excitement. So, why should we be surprised that people are indifferent to the gospel? In their mind, why should they give up a life of fun for a life of sacrifice and persecution? Even worse is that this worldly attitude has invaded the church. Now people expect the church to entertain them. They want pleasant speeches instead of soul-convicting sermons. They want entertaining drama rather than the reading of God's Word. They want special singing groups, special programs, special everything. After all, they are boomers and busters. But this selfish attitude is utterly opposed to the spirit of New Testament Christianity. Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matt. 16:24).

The pleasures of things that are sinful in themselves also make men indifferent to truth. The Bible acknowledges the pleasures of sin (Heb. 11:25). It is the nature of sin to blind, harden, and dull the heart, the result being a careless and carefree dispositon. "Whoredom and wine and new wine," Hosea wrote, "take away the heart" (Hos. 4:11). While the phrase "take away the heart" involves more than loss of interest in good things, it certainly includes it. Paul said that some had so deliberately and continually lived a fleshly life that they were "past feeling" (Eph. 4:17-19). Such an environment makes people insensitive to spiritual truth; in this respect they have no more regard for spiritual things than animals do (Matt. 7:6; II Pet. 2:12). And because they are dull in conscience, they are oblivious to danger. When Lot warned his daughters' husbands that Sodom would be destroyed, "he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law" (Gen. 19:4).

False doctrine causes men to be indifferent to the truth. Paul experienced this source of unconcern at Athens. In a city filled with idols, the Athenians and strangers that were there had little respect for Paul, referring to him as a "babbler" (Acts 17:18). Their interest was in hearing something new (Acts 17:21), so Paul was just another theorist to them. The Epicureans and Stoics denied life after death, so it is no surprise that when Paul preached the resurrection "some mocked: and others said, we will hear thee again of this matter" (Acts 17:32). The Hebrew Christians had likewise become indifferent because of false doctrine, specifically the false teaching of the Judaizing teachers. This error had made them "dull of hearing" (Heb. 5:11). In the same way, false teaching today renders people dull to the truth, uninterested in serious Bible study, and dumbfounded with anyone who believes in fearing God and keeping His commandments.

But remember that indifference is not always permanent. The Word of God is powerful (Heb. 4:12), having the ability to stir the mind as it pricks the conscience. Also, the providence of God helps to create interested hearts, particularly as it brings trials and hardships which often change our perspective when nothing else can. But the choice is ours. If we truly believe the message and humble ourselves before God, a zealous interest in the world to come will surely follow.

Editorial
Malcolm L. Hill

In John 6:44-45 Jesus comments: "Every man. . .that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." If therefore we must hear and LEARN OF THE FATHER to come to the Lord, must it not be the case that we must continue to hear and learn of the Father to stay with the Lord? One does not start off with perfect knowledge of the will of God. He must grow and mature (I Pet. 2:1-2; II Pet. 1:5-10; 3:18). If a child of God stays with the Lord as he matures, then he must lay aside false doctrine and false teaching from his heart (Rom. 6:16). A man is not free from sin until he "obeys from the heart" God's teaching. But how can he stay in fellowship with God if he refuses to give up FROM THE HEART false teaching and false doctrine? If it takes obedience FROM THE HEART to be freed from sin, would it not take obedience FROM THE HEART to continue to be free from sin? When one obeys the gospel from the heart, he is made free from sin. His freedom comes because he has been taught the truth and he has accepted it FROM THE HEART. A newborn babe in Christ does not understand much of the Bible when he becomes a Christian, but he must give up false doctrine FROM THE HEART as he continues to learn of that which is false. If he does not give up his false doctrine FROM THE HEART after he has been taught, then he ceases to be in fellowship with God. See Titus 3:10 relative to the heretic. How then could we have fellowship with him?

1. Should a person be fellowshipped and can he be saved if he believes in premillennialism after having been taught?
2. Should a person be fellowshipped who does not believe in the virgin birth of Christ, but he does not teach it and he keeps it to himself?
3. Should a person be fellowshipped and can he be saved if he does not believe in the resurrection from the dead? He keeps it to himself and will not divide the church over it.
4. Should a person be fellowshipped and can he be saved if he does not believe in the resurrection of Christ? He does not teach this nor does he cause trouble in the church.
5. Should a person be fellowshipped and can he be saved if he does not believe in Jesus as the Son of God? He is willing to keep this to himself and will not divide the church over it.
6. Should a person be fellowshipped and can he be saved if he believes part of the Bible is inspired and part of it is not? He will not teach it nor will he divide the church over it.
7. Should a person be fellowshipped and can he be saved believing one church is as good as another? He will not teach this nor will he divide the church over it.
8. Should a person be fellowshipped and can he be saved if he rejects the teaching of the Bible on hell? He will not teach this nor will he divide the church over it.
9. Should a person be fellowshipped and can he be saved rejecting the Bible teaching about heaven? He will not divide the church nor will he teach it.
10. Does a person have to believe the kingdom has come and can we fellowship him if he rejects the kingdom has come? He will not teach this nor will he divide the church over it.
11. Should a person be fellowshipped and can he be saved if he believes God is not Almighty? He will not teach this nor will he divide the church over it.
12. Should a person be fellowshipped and can he be saved rejecting all the miracles of the Bible? He will not teach this nor will he divide the church over it.
13. Should a person be fellowshipped and can he be saved if he believes the "Jesus Only" doctrine? He will not teach it nor will he divide the church over it.
14. Should one be fellowshipped and can he be saved believing instrumental music in worship to God is Bible teaching? He will not teach this nor will he divide the church over it.
15. Does a person have to believe that God is all-knowing to be saved and should we fellowship one who does not believe this? He will not teach this nor will he divide the church over it.
16. Should one be fellowshipped and can he be saved believing that God is not everywhere at the same time? He will not teach this nor will he cause trouble in the church over it.
17. Should one be fellowshipped and can he be saved if he believes in denominationalism or that there are saved people in all churches? He will not teach this nor will he cause division in the body.
18. Should one be fellowshipped and can he be saved if he believes Joseph was the literal father of Christ? He will not teach this nor will he cause trouble in the church over it.
19. Should one be fellowshipped and can he be saved if he believes we are baptized to obey God (the Jimmy Allen doctrine) and that one is saved before baptism? He will not teach this nor will he cause trouble in the church over it.
20. Should one be fellowshipped and can he be saved if he rejects the creation account in the Bible? He will not cause trouble and will keep this to himself.
21. Should one be fellowshipped and can he be saved believing the Lord's Supper is not necessary on each first day of the week? He will not teach it and he will not divide the church over it.
22. Should we fellowship and can a man be saved having taught premillennialism to members of the church? He did not confess that he taught it, but he asked for prayer because he did teach it and he still believes the doctrine of premillennialism. He confessed fault for something he still believes. But he will not divide the church over it.
23. Should we fellowship a man and can that man be saved if he believes that God has been mean and cruel at times? He will not teach this nor will he cause trouble in the church over it. He hates God for some of this. See I Samuel 15 (Saul and the Amalekites).
24. Should a man be fellowshipped and can he be saved believing in the doctrine of the eternal security of the believers? He will not teach this nor will he cause division in the church.
25. Should one be fellowshipped and can he be saved if he believes that one does not have to make a public confession for public sins committed? He will not teach this nor will he cause trouble in the church over it.
26. Could a man be saved and should he be fellowshipped believing that one may remarry for reasons other than fornication? He will not teach this nor will he divide churches over it.
27. Should one be fellowshipped and can he be saved believing that Jesus was an angel or just some sort of spark off of God? He will not teach this nor will he cause trouble in the church over it.
28. Should one be fellowshipped and could he be saved believing the resurrection is already past? He will not teach this nor will he cause trouble in the church over it.

If one must be taught the truth and believe and obey it to be saved, then why would it not follow that one must be taught and believe and obey the truth in order to continue to be a Christian? One might be baptized in water while believing at the same time that it is not necessary for salvation. Would he be saved? What about those who are taught the truth but reject it after baptism? They may go through the motions but they do not believe the truth.

An Indifferent Preacher
Glenn B. Ramsey

Gospel preachers cannot be indifferent to their lives or to their calling and still be acceptable to God. Paul instructed Timothy: "Take heed unto thyself and unto the doctrine, continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee" (I Tim. 4:16). A preacher who takes heed to himself will make his best effort to be pure in word and deed. This preacher will labor to keep his example an honorable one. He will labor diligently to properly guide his wife and children in the ways of the Lord. He will do his "homework" first! If someone objects by saying that all Christians must put the Kingdom of God first, then they should observe that when one obeys God's injunctions related to his family that this is a part of putting the Kingdom of God first! Indeed, if a man is to preach to others he must first be a practitioner of his preaching. Romans 2:21 says: "Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?"

Men who preach the Gospel of Christ must be vigilant. "Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" (I Pet. 5:8). Men who preach the Gospel of God must be strong and stand fast in the faith. In II Timothy 2:1, Paul commands, "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (II Tim. 2:3). I Corinthians 16:13 says: "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong."

Indifference by a preacher is the same as the "lukewarmness" that afflicted the church at Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-16). If a preacher is a mere "hireling" then he will be indifferent to the charge that God gives to His men. A hireling seeks only to please his master. Some preachers are hirelings to the whims and wishes of the congregations that have hired them. This is not to say that preachers must not be diligent and faithful servants under godly elders of faithful congregations. This is to say, however, that the preacher receives his charge to "preach the Word" from God. The Word of God obligates him to instruct all members of the congregation where he is privileged to preach in the ways of the Lord. Elders must be instructed and rebuked when necessary. Deacons must be instructed and rebuked when necessary. The preacher must instruct and rebuke other preachers (including himself) when necessary. All members must be exhorted to greater service. When necessary all members must be reproved and rebuked by the power of God's Word. The preacher who is more concerned with holding his "position" and keeping his "job" than he is with "preaching the Word" is a hireling (John 10:12-13). Elders who will not identify the "wolves" and protect the sheep from them are hirelings according to the Word of God.

The preacher of the Gospel who follows Paul's charge to preachers, first given to Timothy, will not be an indifferent preacher. The gospel preacher should read this charge every day of his life. It should be a part of his daily meditation. The charge is:

I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. 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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry (II Tim. 4:1-5).

There can be no greater blessing for our present society than a faithful Gospel preacher. There can be no greater blight on our people than an "indifferent preacher." May we all pray for faithful men who fearlessly, yet in love for truth and souls, proclaim the message of salvation. May we do all we can to encourage bright young men to prepare themselves to "preach the Word."

Something to Think About
Malcolm L. Hill

"People, I've discovered, will forgive even poor theology as long as they get out before noon" (Jamie Buckingham).

"Bad doctrine is tolerable; a long sermon most certainly is not" (John MacAuthur, Jr.).

These quotations miss the Bible but they are the truth with many folks. Some do not care what is preached so long as it is short and sweet. This is partly why we are where we are in the church of Christ today.

The philosophy of pragmatism is saturating the church of today. Someone wants to know what pragmatism is. It is the doctrine that if a thing works it should be used and is fine. I was talking with an elder in the church not long back about the congregation where he serves doing an unscriptural thing. He told me that they were going to do it and if they were wrong they would repent of it. This kind of thing has the pragmatic thread running through it. I would not want to be in the woods when this good elder was deer hunting. If I were hidden behind a bush and moved, I would fear he would shoot me thinking I was a deer. But it would be too late for me if he had already killed me. I believe I would check a thing out before doing something I would be ashamed of or that I would regret.

The Bible teaches us to check a thing out before we do it (I Thess. 5:21). We are not to do a thing and then check to see if it is wrong. We are to do all things by the authority of Christ (Col. 3:17).

The pragmatic philosophy says try it and if it works then that is what needs to be done. This philosophy causes this generation to put hamburgers and hot dogs before the gospel of Christ. It causes churches to get into the entertainment business instead of the soul-saving business. It causes preachers to preach what people want to hear instead of what they need to hear. It causes folks to be more interested in what the church house looks like than what one's life looks like.

"Seekest Thou Great Things for Thyself?"
Holger W. Neubauer

It was a time of overwhelming apostasy and departure from the truth when the above question was asked. The southern kingdom of Judah had been removed to Babylon and a great number of the remnant left in the land tried to protect themselves by fleeing into Egypt. Because the remnant did not put their trust in God, Jeremiah, the faithful herald of the truth, predicted further ruin and destruction. The Jews who sought safety in Egypt would also be punished by the Babylonians as Pharaoh-hophra would be subjugated by king Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 44:30). As Jeremiah revealed God's will during this time of spiritual demise, one of Jeremiah's few friends, Baruch, clave to him. Baruch had faithfully transcribed Jeremiah's message as Jeremiah pronounced the words to him (Jer. 36:18). Baruch read publicly the message he transcribed before the gate in the temple of the Lord (Jer. 36:10). Baruch was also protected by God as the Lord hid both of them from their enemies (Jer. 36:26). Though Jeremiah had no more intimate friend and confidant than Baruch, it was Baruch that was rebuked by Jeremiah for seeking position and acclaim in a time of apostasy. When Baruch should have been satisfied with the preservation of his life during this difficult time, he was busy seeking a place of personal notoriety. It was at that instance that Jeremiah asked those stinging words, "Seekest thou great things for thyself?" (Jer. 45:5). The same question needs to be asked to a host of preachers and elders in the kingdom at this present hour. Though abject war prevails in the kingdom, many are more interested in positions of honor than with the apostasy that is presently taking place.

Many preachers today are more interested in their salaries, promotions, being used on lectureships, running with the big wigs and acquiring a big name than in converting the lost, preaching the truth, and standing against the departure from the truth that is taking place in the church. The university lectureships among us have become nothing more for some than venues for preachers seeking the applause of men and upward mobility in the kingdom. Too many are seeking places from themselves rather than really fighting the good fight of faith. Hardly a man in the brotherhood will stand and boldly tell a university lectureship audience that there are men who are on those programs that should not be given a hearing. More preachers are interested in worldly honor than faithfulness before God.

When elders choose big name preachers to align with, they many times look for a position among the churches rather than looking for a faithful man who can really help their work. Why are elderships so determined to utilize and promote these among the schools, especially the universities? Is it not because of worldly place and honor? For shame that many today are looking for personal notoriety rather than spiritual life. Well we do to remember Jesus' warning, "Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed before men is abomination in the sight of God" (Luke 16:15).

Any university lectureship among us displays false teachers galore and uses those that know the truth but are more interested in position and honor than exposing false doctrine that is presented there. Like animals gathering for the daily feeding, preachers push and shove their way to the spotlight, looking for a place to revel, but Jeremiah's penetrating rebuke of Baruch ought to be set forth in the hearing of all looking for earthly-minded praise and we still ought to ask "Seekest thou great things for thyself?"

A Very Serious Matter
Malcolm L. Hill

The office of an elder is the highest position in the world. It is truly "a good work" (I Tim. 3:1). Those who serve faithfully and fully will receive a great reward (I Pet. 5:4).

But along with the office of the eldership comes great and grave responsibilities. Elders are to see after the flock "as they that must give account" (Heb. 13:17). Elders are to justly oversee the flock (Acts 20:28). No elder is pleasing to God that is a respecter of persons. God is no respecter of persons and His elders in the church must not be (James 2:1).

Many elders have their minds made up and God, Christ, and the Bible are not going to change them. They are just as wrong as they can be on certain issues and people, but try to change them if you wish and you will see just how blind they are. They do not do justly nor do they love mercy and with a mindset like this it is impossible for them to walk humbly with their God (Mic. 6:8). Some elders justify the wicked and condemn the just (Prov. 17:15).

Some elders do not have backbone and love of the truth enough to meet and seek after the truth (Prov. 18:13). Elders are often led by blind preachers and they are headed for the eternal ditch of hell (Matt. 15:14).

Indifferent Bible School Teachers
David S. Hill

Suppose your child came home from school and gave a consistent report day after day about his class experiences and his teacher or teachers at school. The report went something like this: "Well, our classes never get started on time, nor do we really know what teacher will be in our class. Our work is mostly just busywork and the teacher just sits and reads out of the book to us." What would you do as a parent if this report were given to you day after day, week after week, especially when you observed no change in your child, no indication that he/she was learning anything at all? What would you do? Now, what report do your children give about their experience in Bible study? Have you ever asked them? Have you ever looked into their classrooms to see what is going on in there? Moreover, have you examined your children to see whether they are learning anything in their Bible class?

There can be no doubt that a report from a child about his school experience like noted above would be reacted upon quickly, and most likely with some degree of anger and disgust. Most parents would say, "The very idea of a school operating without any knowledge of what teacher will be in what class, or not knowing if a teacher will even show up for an individual class! This is a disgrace to society." Well, if this is a disgrace to society, then what about a Bible school program that operates this way? If your children were not learning the basics in school, you would be very disturbed and rightly so! But, how much more should one be disturbed when his children are neglected in the area that will mean the most to them which is Bible training and Bible knowledge (Rev. 20:12). Does the neglect of Bible teaching really matter to you? It should be of utmost importance (Eph. 6:1-4; II Tim. 2:15).

Suppose your child had a teacher that had no formal education and never gave any evidence of knowing anything much about the subjects he was hired to teach? Suppose your child had a teacher that absolutely misrepresented the facts and undermined the beliefs and values which you have spent much time trying to teach and instill in your child. Would this bother you? Does it bother you that some Bible school teachers have spent little or no time in Bible training? In fact, have you ever asked your child's teacher to cite for you the plan of salvation or the authorized acts of worship, and have you ever asked him to give book, chapter, and verse to go with these rudimentary Bible teachings? Or does it really even matter? The last question is the heart and core of indifference.

As an adult, do the above questions and observations seem to ring a bell with you in your adult classes? Could your adult teachers answer the questions listed? Are you indifferent about the whole matter? God is not indifferent about those who would teach the Bible. Read James 3:1 and see how God views those who take a lead in His church. The many false doctrines that are now being taught and embraced by so many in the church had their basis somewhere. Could it be that children of faithful, godly parents have actually had their faith undermined when they went to Bible school and saw an unconcerned, unprepared, spiritually shallow, indifferent Bible teacher show up 15 minutes late to skate through a Bible class? I actually know of a conversation which took place several years ago where a departmental chairman was asking a lady to teach a Bible class. The lady responded by saying, "Why yes, I'd be glad to help teach...it will give me a reason to show up for the first hour on Sunday morning." Is this the type of person you want to set up as an example before your children? As seen in this illustration, many Bible teachers cannot be counted on to show up for other services of the church when they are not teaching. And take this challenge: look around at the next gospel meeting and see if your Bible class teacher and your child's Bible class teacher are present for the "assembling" of the church.

The apostle Paul said, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ," (I Cor. 11:1). Do you agree that this would be an appropriate statement for a Bible school teacher to make to his or her class? Would to God that all Bible school teachers could truly say what Paul said!

Hard work and dedication to Christ with much time given to prayer and study of God's word will prevent indifference in a Bible school teacher. If elders will "rule well" (I Tim. 5:17), they will not allow indifference in Bible school teachers, and if parents will do their job by checking up on their children's Bible class activities, indifference would not be allowed to exist for very long in a Bible school program. The "I don't know and I don't care" attitude is not acceptable in secular education. Why would it ever be allowed to start with the Bible class teacher in the church of Christ? Does it really matter?

The Fruits of Indifference
Dan Jones

Revelation 3:14-22 is the classic New Testament text dealing with the sin of indifference. This same sin is found all too often among members of the body of Christ today. While this sin is no better or no worse than any other, it is a very common problem among Christians. Godly elders and faithful preachers have no choice but to deal with it and generally, they are found doing so on a regular basis.

An honest and objective study of the effects and results of lukewarmness, as seen in the Laodiceans, should be more than enough to keep the concerned Christian alert to the ever-present danger posed by the very possibility of this sin.

One of the first things that we should realize with regard to the sin of indifference and its consequences is the effect that it has upon the Savior Himself. In Revelation 3:16 Jesus said, "So then because thou are lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth" (emphasis mine, dj).

When Jesus was upon the earth clothed in human flesh, He had the same physical feelings characteristic of all men. At various time He was hungry, thirsty, sad, angry and tired—he possessed and exhibited the full range of human emotions. But toward the Laodiceans Jesus demonstrated a characteristic that is attributed to Him in no other passage of Scripture. The Laodiceans made the Lord sick! They nauseated Him! He told them that unless drastic changes occurred He would vomit them out!

How could a conscientious child of God not be affected by such a thought? Surely, we do not wish to make the Lord sick. Certainly, we do not want to be rejected by the Lord. However, the only way to avoid it is to make strenuous efforts to resist the sin of which the Laodiceans were guilty.

And just what was that sin? Those brethren are not charged with immorality. They are not accused of teaching false doctrine or supporting false teachers. Nothing is said that would indicate that they had corrupted the worship. The Bible condemns all of these things in numerous other passages, but not one mention is made of them here. What was it then that could have this kind of effect upon the Lord? It was lukewarmness: an indifferent, uncaring, unconcerned, lackadaisical, apathetic, uninterested, unenthusiastic attitude. It is a sin that keeps one unconscious of his true spiritual state and that allows one to suppress any notions of the need to be obedient and spiritually active (I Cor. 15:58; Gal. 6:9). Not only that, but such a frame a mind can easily lead to the kinds of sins mentioned earlier (immorality, the acceptance of false doctrine, the corruption of worship, etc.). If one is not genuinely concerned about doing that which is right, it will not be long until he is not bothered by doing that which is wrong.

Further, that which results from the sin of indifference includes spiritual poverty, spiritual blindness and spiritual nakedness (Rev. 3:17-18).

The brethren at Laodicea said that they were rich and had need of nothing. Apparently they did not even recognize their need for God. Yet the Bible says that ". . .in him we live, and move, and have our being. . ." (Acts 17:28). Life in this physical, material world would be impossible without God. More importantly, forgiveness of sins and the hope of eternal salvation would be unthinkable apart from God (Eph. 2:8-10; Titus 1:2; 2:11-12; cf. II Pet. 3:9). If man is not cognizant of his need for God and the blessings He provides through Christ (Eph. 1:3), how poor he is indeed!

The Laodiceans were so spiritually impoverished because they were so spiritually blind. After listing what are usually called the Christian graces and encouraging Christians to abound in them (II Pet. 1:5-8), the apostle Peter than says, "But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged form his old sins" (v. 9). What a terrible price to pay for having blind eyes. If a Christian fails to grow spiritually he does not stand still. He goes backward. He is unable to see the things that lie ahead (both the pitfalls to avoid and the blessings that await the faithful), he has forgotten that wonderful occasion of the past when he obeyed the Lord in baptism and enjoyed the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Rom. 6:3-4) and he has forfeited the continual cleansing of the blood of Christ that is promised to those who walk in the light (I John 1:7).

Having been blinded by their lukewarmness, the Laodiceans could not see that they were unclothed. In their lethargic state they could not justly wear the robes washed white in the blood of the Lamb (Rev. 7:14) or the white raiment promised to those who overcome (Rev. 3:5). They were without the fine robes of righteousness and were clothed only in garments that had been stained in the muck and mire of sin.

Many do not consider lukewarmness to be a serious sin. Obviously the Lord is not included in that number. Of the seven churches in Asia addressed by Jesus in Revelation 2-3, Laodicea was the only church that received only condemnation and no commendation. The indifference that characterized them was so pervasive that not even our omniscient Savior saw any good that should be commended. What an awful way to be remembered!

Yet, all hope was not lost for the Laodiceans nor for those who duplicate their sin today. Jesus offers a way of return. The stern rebuke of this sin, both then and now, is issued only in an effort to open unseeing eyes so that the realization of one's true condition might be seen and corrected. Lukewarmness, like all sin, has dire consequences (Rom. 6:23), but not to those who will repent (I John 1:9).

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches (Rev. 3:19-22).

How to Come Out of Indifference
Ronald D. Gilbert

Webster defines indifferent as, "Not mattering one way or the other; of no great importance; having no marked feelings for one way or the other." Synonyms for indifferent would include unconcerned, apathetic, disinterested, lukewarm, lethargic, lackadaisical, and Laodicean. The church at Laodicea was told by the apostle John, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot so then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth" (Rev. 3:15-16). Indifference seems to be something that people drift into slowly. Indifference is caused, among other things, by wrong thinking. "For as he thinketh in his heart so is he" (Prov. 23:7). Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8 that our thinking is important. Notice what Jesus said: "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies" (Matt. 15:19). Changing one's thinking must be done before changing one's actions.

Perhaps some are indifferent due to ignorance. You may have encountered some brethren who, after much teaching, are no longer indifferent. Some are indifferent because they are trying to do what Jesus said they cannot do, that is, serve two masters. "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" (Matt. 6:24).

The church is presently reaping the fruit of indifference in the lives of many. Indifference has caused many to stop studying the Bible. Study is essential: "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (II Tim. 2:15). Paul gave young Timothy an admonition along this line. "Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine" (I Tim. 4:13). Indifference has caused many to stop praying. Our prayers should be constant. "Pray without ceasing" (I Thess. 5:17). Still others have stopped attending the services as they should due to indifference. Indifference has caused others to grow so unconcerned that doctrine is no longer important to them. Concerning doctrine Jesus said, "My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me" (John 7:16). We are commanded to "Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus" (II Tim. 1:13).

Indifference is a real problem facing the Lord's church today. What is the cure? Remember earlier in this article we pointed out that men go into indifference in a gradual way. Coming out of indifference will no doubt be the same slow process. There must be more teaching, praying, Bible study, love for the truth, and a fervent desire to do the will of God. Jesus tells us we must "seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness" (Matt. 6:33). It has been my observation that most of the people who have a problem with indifference do not seem to be aware that they have a problem! The first step then would be for one to recognize that he is indifferent. For many, religion is somewhat of a game. They are not serious about being a "real Christian" even though Christ purchased the church with His blood (Acts 20:28)!