The story goes that a couple of men were discussing concerns they had about the direction in which the church was going. One of the men asked, “Would you agree the reasons we’re not seeing the church grow as it can and should is because of ignorance and apathy?” The other man responded to his friend’s comment in an all too familiar way: “I don’t know and I don’t care.”
     As much as we might not like to admit it, all too many Christians have fallen prey to such an attitude. Satan has caused them to buy into the denominations concept of “once saved, always saved”—a concept that leads to a false sense of self-satisfaction...and will lead to eternal ruin for all who remain therein.
     How, then, do we stem the tide of such an attitude that seems to be growing on a daily basis? First of all, there must be a re-commitment to the work at hand. Just like those in Nehemiah’s day, we must have “a mind to work” (Nehemiah 4:6). Faithful children of God must realize there is a problem and commit themselves to the importance and the urgency of the work. Sad, but true, it is sometimes the perceived indifference on the part of God’s faithful children that causes others to place themselves in the throes of ignorance and apathy.
     Secondly, “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15), we must convince and convict those with the “I don’t know and I don’t care” attitude that they are being deceived by the father of lies (John 8:44) and are being led down the path to eternal destruction. It might not be the most pleasant task, but it is a necessity, for if we can convince these individuals of their error, we “shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).
     In the third place, a re-emphasis must be placed on the importance of Bible study. The Bible is not just some antiquated book with some important sayings in it (as some are pushing); it is the inspired and infallible word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The respect for God’s Word and the authority that goes along with it needs to be rekindled in the hearts and minds of people. We cannot plead ignorance to the teachings of the Bible because we have total access to “all things that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3). A restoration of the hungering and thirsting after righteousness is a must (Matthew 5:6). This learning process will more than likely include a re-introduction to the foundational principles of Christianity (the milk) and be built upon with the weightier matters (the meat) as one progresses into spiritual maturity (Hebrews 5:12-6:2; 1 Peter 2:2).
     And finally, a reminder of the reward for steadfastness in the faith must be re-instilled. There is a great reward that will be “reaped” if we faint not in well doing (Galatians 6:9). The faithful child of God has been assured, “...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).
     The following passages from the apostle Paul should point out to us the importance of continual growth in the knowledge of and obedience to God’s word, as well as the reward that awaits all those who stick to those teachings:
     “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).
     “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that  love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
     Ignorance and apathy can be overcome but only if we rekindle our first love (Revelation 2:4-5a).—1665 Jamestown Road, Cobden, IL 62920