AN APATHIST, WHAT IS THAT?

From the West Meadow
By Pastor Wesley Higgins

While in the dentist’s office the other day, waiting my turn at the end of the drill, I had time to flip through some of the many magazines on the waiting room table. In one, I found an article about religious life, or the lack thereof. The author stated that for years he had been an atheist, but he no longer thought of himself that way. Not because he now believes in God; on the contrary, it’s because now he no longer cares either way.

In effect, the author said that to be an atheist requires action. I suppose that atheism means that every time you hear the name of Christ used, it causes you to bristle and to at least inwardly rise to the challenge of arguing the existence of God. Now the author no longer cares. He has become what he calls an “apathist”.

The term “apathist” started me thinking. You don’t have to be an atheist to become an apathist. You don’t even have to give up your belief or non-belief in the existence of God. All you have to do is quit acting and living like God matters. All you really have to do to be an apathist is to start acting and living like the average person.

The vast majority of Americans will profess a belief in Christianity when asked. Yet many people claiming to be Christians conduct their lives as though Christ doesn’t even exist. By definition, a Christian is one who follows Christ; that is, one who lives life the way Christ would live it (see I Corinthians 8:9-14 and Matthew 7:21-23).

The apostle James asked, “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith (believes God exists) but does not have works (lives like God doesn’t matter)?” James continued, “I will show you my faith by my works.” It is interesting that a person who doesn’t believe in God–an atheist–realizes that even the lack of belief (his “faith”) requires action. A Christian’s belief does, too. “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe–and tremble!” James 2:14,18-19

The point is that belief is not enough. God asks Christians to be of service to others–in fact, He expects it (see Matthew 21:24-28; John 13:1-17). He expects us to live our lives as if Christ matters!

Don’t live life as an apathist; live life as if Christ was living in you.

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