29 Dec 2011 3 Comments

Free from the Stronghold of Indifference

It’s so easy to turn away from the loneliness, pain, suffering, and persecution of another. Most of what we see is so far away from us. Godly compassion is illusive when we are not personally involved.

Français : Jésus est ému et pleure de compassi...

Indifference did not save us.

If we have never suffered, nor experienced the misery others are experiencing, we tend to give little and do our godly duty without godly passion.  Even the majority of us who have suffered, who understand the suffering of others, have a tendency to release the sufferer to their own ‘lot in life’ without concern. Our ten percent should cover that, we think.

Our lukewarm attitude causes indifference. Indifference separates us from God. If indifference is allowed to become a stronghold, we will eventually turn from God to our own works.

Revelation 3:15-17 I know your [record of] works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! 16So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth!

On the other hand, those of us who  by worldly standards are rich, are not happy with what we have. We need more. Why should we care about others when we don’t have all of what we want?

Indifference gives little and cares little. Indifference is too busy. The small fraction of money that we donate is lukewarm. The giving of ourselves is what God wants–the greatest gift we can give. We’re not our own. We are bought for a price. And that price was extremely high. God himself became flesh and gave himself for us. Indifference would not have bought our salvation. Nor would it have forgiven our sins.

The Mystery of Compassion

Indifference turns away.

5 Biblical tips to overcome indifference:

1. Turn earnestly to God in repentance and change the way you think and act. God loves us past our indifference.

Revelation 3:19 Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude].

2. Pray for God to give you a deep love for him and a heart for others.

Ephesians 3:16-18 May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. 17May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, 18That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God's devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it];

3. Move forward to do what he calls you to do. If God has given you a vision, move forward with it. Don’t expect it to be done by someone else.

Habakkuk 2:2-4 Then the Lord answered me, “Write the vision. Make it clear on tablets so that anyone can read it quickly. 3The vision will still happen at the appointed time. It hurries toward its goal. It won’t be a lie. If it’s delayed, wait for it. It will certainly happen. It won’t be late.  4“Look at the proud person. He is not right in himself. But the righteous person will live because of his faithfulness.

4. Do everything as if you were doing it just for God.

Colossians 3:23-25 Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly as though you were working for your real master and not merely for humans. 24You know that your real master will give you an inheritance as your reward. It is Christ, your real master, whom you are serving. 25The person who does wrong will be paid back for the wrong he has done. God does not play favorites.

5. Keep the goal in mind. Keep running the race. Success in this life is not the prize. You were called by the Lord to continually live righteously for God.

Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward.

John 6:64-66 But [still] some of you fail to believe and trust and have faith. For Jesus knew from the first who did not believe and had no faith and who would betray Him and be false to Him. 65And He said, This is why I told you that no one can come to Me unless it is granted him [unless he is enabled to do so] by the Father.  66After this, many of His disciples drew back (returned to their old associations) and no longer accompanied Him.

Written by Christian author, Pola Muzyka.

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by Pola in Bible, Biblical Advice, Christian Authors, Compassion, Holy Spirit, Indifference, Pola Muzyka, Selfishness Tags: , , , , , , ,