Are Apathetic Christians Saved?
There are Christians from every nation. This started in Acts chapter two shortly after the gospel was preached for the first time in the N.T. age. Acts 2:5 shows that there were Jews from every nation under heaven gathered at Pentecost A.D. 33. Then, in Acts 2:36 they heard the apostles declare the truth that God had made Jesus Lord and Christ after they had sanctioned the crucifixion of Jesus. Their hearts were pricked when they received this information, so they asked what to do to be saved. Of course, they were given the inspired directive to repent and be baptized in the name of (by the authority) of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. When those penitent believers were baptized into Christ they became spiritual children of God. Then, having all things common, these new brethren in Christ that had possessions and goods sold these, and the proceeds were distributed to all as every man had need. These new Christians were not apathetic because they showed care and concern for all of their brethren.
The church for which Christ died, began on that Pentecost day in A.D. 33 and will continue on earth until the Lord returns to take the obedient and faithful (whether dead or alive per 1Thess 4:16-17) to be forever with the Lord in Heaven. Sadly, as long as the church exists on earth, there will be Christians that have become apathetic. This is because the church is comprised of all humans that have been baptized into Christ. However, some of those baptized believers fell (and some today still fall) into the trap of becoming lethargic, dispirited, bored and indifferent.
Perhaps the clearest example of “apathetic Christians” is found in Rev 3:14-16. As this passage is examined, we find that these indifferent were neither cold nor hot but were lukewarm. In verse 17 we see how these brethren saw themselves and this is contrasted with how the Lord (who sees and knows all things) saw them. It is apparent that they had lied to themselves. Therefore, through this inspired letter, in verse 18, the Lord counseled them to take appropriate action to repair the damage they had inflicted on their own souls before it was forever too late. Following this, we find in verse 19 that the chastisement they received of the Lord was motivated by love, and they were cautioned to zealously repent. Finally, the promise of the Lord for eternal life was given to those believers that overcome, and all were instructed to hear Him.
In 2Cor 13:5 we see the Corinthian brethren were told to examine themselves to see if they were “in the faith”. They were then told to “prove your own selves”. If a Christian honestly compares him/herself with the Word of God, they will not become apathetic. Each will earnestly seek to “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ” (2Pet 3:18). Interestingly, just before this, in verse 17, the Spirit had Peter warn them to “beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” Would it be surprising to anyone that in most cases, those that fall from their own steadfastness are those that have become apathetic?
Perhaps some become apathetic because they have deceived themselves or have been deceived by others into thinking that in being a Christian, life will be easy. When reality presents itself (as it always does), some become discouraged and their religion suffers. They become apathetic, and some even quit. But as 2Pet 2:20-21 clearly teaches, it is much worse for the Christian, the child of God, the one who has been taught properly and baptized into Christ, to “turn from the Holy Commandment delivered unto them”. They had “escaped” the sin of the world in obedience to Christ and through their apathy became weakened. Then they became again entangled in sin and overcome. This passage warns us that the “latter end is worse than the beginning”. It fits then that Gal 6:7-9 warns about being deceived. It tells us that God is not to be mocked; that a man who “soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting”. Then we have the inspired guarantee that if we don’t become “weary in well doing” and don’t “faint”, we shall reap as the Word promises. Each will reap for eternity whatsoever they sow on earth.
No, it won’t always be easy. Life itself is hard at times. So is being a faithful Christian. Jesus, in John 15:18ff, speaking directly to His apostles, warned them of the hate the world would have for them as followers of Christ because the world hated Jesus. He also warned them of persecution to come. As we look into the N.T. in 2Tim 3:11-12, we find a reminder of the hardships and persecutions Paul suffered at Antioch, Iconium, and at Lystra. And we are also warned that all Chritians (those who live godly in Christ Jesus) shall also suffer persecution. This is why in 1Cor 15:58 those brethren (& we) are reminded to not become apathetic. We are to remain “stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” The obedient have a home in heaven promised to them, but only the faithful will receive it. Those that are apathetic are not faithful, and those that remain unfaithful are lost so long as they remain in that state.
If not, would the Lord have so straitly warned the Laodiceans in Rev 3:15ff? Would Simon have received the inspired injunction “thy heart is not right in the sight of God” in Acts 8:21? Would he have been told to repent and pray that he might receive forgiveness if he was in a “saved” state (Acts 8:22)? Do we not believe 2Thess 1:8 where Christ will take vengeance in flaming fire on all that “know not God and that obey not the gospel”? Are apathetic Christians saved? The evidence from God’s Word says they aren’t. Are you apathetic? Repent, shake off your lethargy and find zeal that you might do as God’s Word Commands. As Eph 6:10 directs, “be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might”. For we read in 1Pet 4:18 – “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
What is your true spiritual condition? All souls are precious to God. The apathetic, unfaithful Christian’s soul is in jeopardy. So is the soul of one who has never obeyed the gospel. Will you not learn what God says in His Word, and obey it that you might be saved? Open your heart (mind) to the truth and apply it in your life now before it’s everlastingly too late.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
