Most people who believe in God probably would like to have a closer relationship with Him, but apparently many of these people are not willing to do what is necessary to have such a relationship. Such people are regarded by the Bible as apathetic.
In this article, we will address what the Bible says about apathy, particularly by Christians, in their relationship with God, and then we will discuss what is necessary for a person to be able to have a good relationship with God.
What Does the Bible Say about Apathy by Christians?
Perhaps, the most notable scripture pertaining to the apathy of Christians in their relationship with God is Revelation 3:14-16. Evidently most, if not all, of the members of the church in Laodicea had been indifferent in their relationship with God. In this scripture, “One like the Son of Man,” who is generally believed to be Jesus Christ, tells the Apostle John,
[T]o the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, “These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: ‘I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth.’”
[Note: When we quote Scripture in this article, we use the wording in the New King James Version of the Bible, except when we are quoting a source that uses a different translation.]
With regard to Revelation 3:14-16, John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible provides the following comments:
[The church in Laodicea] was not “cold,” or without spiritual life, at least in many of her members . . .; she was alive, but not lively: nor was she wholly without spiritual affections and love; to God, and Christ, to his people, ways, truths, and ordinances; she had love, but the fervency of it was abated: nor was she without spiritual breathings and desires altogether, as dead men are; or without the light and knowledge of the Gospel, and a profession of it, and yet she was not “hot”; her love to God and Christ, and the saints, was not ardent and flaming; . . . nor was she zealous for the truths of the Gospel, and for the ordinances of it, and for the house of God and its discipline; nor did she warmly oppose all sin, and every error and false way.
I would thou wert cold or hot – [This] must be understood, not absolutely, but comparatively; and not that it was an indifferent thing to Christ whether she was one or the other; but he alludes to what is natural among men, it being generally more agreeable to have anything entirely hot, or entirely cold, than to be neither; and so uses this phrase to show his detestation of lukewarmness. . . .
As for the relationship between God and certain specific individuals mentioned in the Bible, Philip Yancey provides the following interesting perspective on pages 188-189 of his book entitled Reaching for the Invisible God:
God’s favorites responded with passion in kind. Moses argued with God so fervently that several times he persuaded God to change his mind. Jacob wrestled all night long and used trickery to grab hold of God’s blessing. Job lashed out in sarcastic rage against God. David broke at least half the Ten Commandments. Yet never did they wholly give up on God, and never did God give up on them. God can handle anger, blame, and even willful disobedience. One thing, however, blocks relationship: indifference.
Thus, although there may also be other factors, apathy (or indifference) toward God prevents people from having a good relationship with Him.
What Is Necessary for a Person to Have a Good Relationship with God?
Being a spiritually mature Christian facilitates having a good relationship with God. To become spiritually mature, a person needs to take three basic progressive steps: (1) regeneration, (2) justification, and (3) sanctification.
Regeneration in a religious context involves having a change of heart that results from the Holy Spirit convicting a person of their sins, with the result that the person responds by repenting and trusting in Jesus Christ as his (or her) Savior. Unger’s Bible Dictionary says that regeneration reflects a change in a person’s moral and spiritual nature. And, this change will reflect significant improvement in a person’s moral and spiritual nature. If there is no such change, it is highly unlikely that the person has been regenerated.
Justification, according to Unger, “is a divine act whereby an infinitely Holy God judicially declares a believing sinner to be righteous and acceptable before Him. . . .” Thus, justification reflects a person’s better relationship with God. This step is virtually automatic if a person has been truly regenerated.
Sanctification is “separation from the secular and sinful, and setting apart for a sacred purpose,” declares Unger. Sanctification is another term for holiness, but it does not necessitate perfect holiness, which only God can achieve. Christians who are not committed to following New Testament teachings that pertain to living a sanctified life are described as “lukewarm” in Revelation 3:14-16. [For a discussion of holiness, see our article entitled “Can Anyone Except God Be Holy?”]
Jesus Christ states in Revelation 3:19, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore, be zealous and repent.” This scripture serves as a warning that, if Christians continue to be apathetic in their relationship with God, He may discipline them to motivate them to make a genuine effort to be sanctified, which necessitates that the Holy Spirit be in control of their life.
Conclusion
It behooves every Christian who sincerely wants to have a good relationship with God to repent for their sins and resolve to sincerely and continuously commit themselves to strive to live a sanctified (i.e., holy) life, which is made possible by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide their thoughts, their words, and their deeds. And, everyone who does so will be able to have the type of relationship that God desires to have with them. [For a discussion regarding living a sanctified life, click on “Can Anyone Except God Be Holy?”]