Apathy in the Church

We are experiencing apathy in the church of the living Christ because some have lost their passion, excitement and zeal. In the Book of Revelations, in speaking to the church at Ephesus, our Lord said: "I have somewhat against you, because you have left your first love" (Revelations 2:4).

The church is commended for its soundness of faith and perserverance but came under Christ's discipline for having left (or lost) its first love or former devotion to Christ. Lack of interest or concern, impassiveness for things that others find moving or exciting, especially in the realm of worship, is a disturbing element in the church today. The church needs a sense of excitement in its midst once again; not simply a display of an emotional high, but genuine replenishment of power from on high.

In the Book of Acts there is recorded such an event: And when they prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spoke the word of God with boldness (Acts 4:31-33). We need the power of God to shake the church once again, manifesting God's Spirit, to heal the broken-hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised (or oppressed), to preach the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:18).

Power from on High

When power comes down from on high apathy turns into joy, expectation, rejoicing, and brings glory to God. When one enters into the presence of the Lord they will have renewed hope. They will not be downhearted, discouraged, or in a state of apathy, but renewed, revitalized, recommitted, and resolved to do the will of the Lord.
One cannot set on their seat of "do nothing" when a whole world of opportunity lies before them. There is no room for apathy in the church. If one is excited about what God is doing it rubs off to that of another. There should be excitement for what the next day holds, the next hour, the next minute, and second.
Our Enemy
There is an enemy who would like to place one in discontentment, discouragement, downtrodden, and tear down one's zeal for the Lord, but apostle Paul wrote: I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor principalities, nor things to come, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39).
God is infinitely greater than any potential enemy. In the Book of Nehemiah the people of God were reminded that the joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Is He your strength? When you wake in the morning is He on your mind? As you continue throughout the day is He part of that day? Do you meditate on His Word? If so there is no room for apathy.
Now is not the time to give in to seducing spirits of the world. Now is not the time to give in to the devices of the devil. The church is a chosen or called-out assembly. It is an assembly or group of believers in Christ. It has been endued with power from on high.
In my first action, in the military, I witnessed Marines who were being set ashore to assist foreign nationals who were fleeing from the oppression of rebels in their land. When the Marines were about to disembark they were excited, joyful, joking with one another, but when they returned, after having faced the enemy, the looks on their faces reflected such an encounter. I wonder what sort of look is reflected when the church encounters the enemy. Is there excitement or pain etched on the faces of God's people?
In the Voice of the Martyrs Publication I read of those who suffer, in other countries, simply for naming the name of Christ and expressing their belief in Him. If any one has reason to be in apathy, lose their passion, or excitement, it would be them but they are motivated the more in their love for Christ.