In this life of uncertainty, Christians must fight against apathy each day and every day. A very wise man was known for saying, ?If you wanted to focus on the bad, it would be easy. God knows there's lots of it. But you don't have to go around looking for it.? I was able to see what he was saying. For years, the news media has had the "find the bad" angle covered. But it took me a while to realize what a problem this was for Christians.



I've come to realize that the source of apathy begins when you start to feel that the odds are devastatingly against you. The feelings turn into not caring; you feel that it shouldn't matter when your viewpoint, your beliefs, your principles and priorities don't really matter to anyone else. Why fight when you are sure to lose? It is a natural instinct to not want to battle the enemy when the enemy is larger than you are.

More often than not, apathy is a direct result of fear. It can start as laziness, which can later threaten to destroy the church. It's an absence of faith, a glaring lack of hope, and it saturates a congregation, seeping into every area of their lives. Slowly, it causes Christians to give up without feeling guilty. Before long, apathy sets in, and they lose the will to fight.

I once heard a friend say, ?It's not a big deal if I don't want to put a Christian symbol on my vehicle. I drive way too fast." He told me that it wasn't that big of a deal when I asked him why he doesn't simply drive the speed limit. I truly believe that it is a very big deal.

Faith and hope make us capable of fighting apathy. Christ went up onto the cross, of His own free will, to give us hope. Christ was able to walk to His death through the cruelest of human treatment because He knew that He had something greater waiting for Him once He endured all the pain. And what gave Him strength was the joy behind that hope.

Many Christians, me included, have forgotten how to stand out in faith. But our hope is not completely forgotten. I know that if we would just remember, then we would reject apathy completely. Apathy is a poison that slowly destroys our defenses and corrupts our faith. If you don't see my point, then look with me at the faith of the people of today.

Someone once said to me that the world would be transformed if all those who claimed to believe in God acted like they really did. Their lifestyles, attitudes, and means of doing business would all change in extremes. The world would know that they acted as Christ acted.

Sadly, apathy has turned faith into meaningless words. Some Christians have forgotten that to speak the words isn't nearly enough; it's their deeds that speak the loudest.

Action is the only answer. How can a Christian overcome apathy? A Christian needs to be hopeful and know that what Christ knew was sufficient; that shows in REAL faith.

The first decision I made as a newly hopeful Christian was to wear a Christian t-shirt. Although it may seem like the simplest act, on that day I was a walking advertisement and I was different. I was particularly careful in my actions and reactions to others. There was a dramatic improvement in my driving, and my tone was much more considerate. What is the explanation? I purposefully told others of my affiliation; I chose to align myself with Christ. Furthermore, my actions were completely void of apathy.

So do something. If you really have faith, look to the coming hope. I challenge you to wear that Christian shirt or display that Christian fish on your car. Find local shelters and community projects and volunteer your services. Be honest in your business dealings and take time to be a witness everyday. And when you are doing these things, realize that you are a representative of Jesus Christ. Take faith seriously, and become a force worthy of the world's notice. And remember: "Greater is He who is in you than He who is in the world" (1 John 4:4).