Depraved Indifference
Our society is selfish and self-centered. This attitude even permeates the church. There is a lack of evangelism. Bill Bright estimates only 2% of Christians share their faith.
It was the “Prince of Preachers,” Charles Spurgeon, who said the words:
“Have you no wish for others to be saved?
Then you are not saved yourself.
Be sure of that.”
A true Christian can never be apathetic about the salvation of the world. The love of God in him will motivate him to seek and save that which is lost.
Is the love of God in you?
If a man is busy waxing his car and notices a baby drowning and says, "Hey, I'm too busy waxing my car to go and help that kid," that man is guilty both morally and legally. To allow that child to drown is "depraved indifference." Depraved is as low as you can go (morally) and indifference means you couldn't care less. He has a heart of stone.
Just like that man has a moral obligation to save that baby, we have a moral obligation to reach and win souls for Christ. Love can't just sit in a pew while sinners sink into hell.
He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love. (1st John 4:8)
Love can't just sit on a pew and let sinners sink into hell. Most Christians are bold in worship, but leave church and hid their faith under a bushel.
But a farmer won't put good seed onto unprepared soil. He prepares the soil first so that he can get a great harvest. We can't just tell people about the love of God without revealing their need for a savior.
Many a man proclaims his own loving-kindness and goodness, but a faithful man who can find? (Proverbs 20:6)
People think they are fundamentally good and believe they will go to heaven based on their good works. We need to get them to reveal that if they have transgressed -- and if they are guilty of one transgression of the law, they are guilty of the whole law.
If someone says they are a good person. Ask them if they have ever broken one of the Ten Commandments:
- "I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods before Me..."
- "Do not make a sculpted image or any likeness of what is in the heavens above..."
- "Do not swear falsely by the name of the LORD..."
- "Remember [zachor] the Sabbath day and keep it holy" (the version in Deuteronomy reads shamor, "observe")
- "Honor your father and your mother..."
- "Do not murder"
- "Do not commit adultery."
- "Do not steal."
- "Do not bear false witness against your neighbor"
- "Do not covet your neighbor's house..."
[That is] because the mind of the flesh [with its carnal thoughts and purposes] is hostile to God, for it does not submit itself to God's Law; indeed it cannot. (Romans 8:7)
People use God's holy name as a curse word. People don't use Hitler's name. We see then that people in their hearts have enmity between themselves and God.
They show that the essential requirements of the Law are written in their hearts and are operating there, with which their consciences (sense of right and wrong) also bear witness; and their [moral] [a]decisions (their arguments of reason, their condemning or approving [b]thoughts) will accuse or perhaps defend and excuse [them] (Romans 2:15)
Written on the heart of the athiest, the agnostic, and even non-Christian society is "You shall not steal, you shall not kill... etc.)
Conscience = (Con = With) (Science = Knowledge)
God has put that light in every man's heart.
What do people say about Christianity:
"I don't believe that there is a God."
"Where is the scientific proof or evidence of God?"
"Churches are full of hypocrites!"
"Religion is the source of war and suffering in this world!"
But ask them, "Do you consider yourself a good person?" They will say, "Yes."
Then, ask... "Do you ever lie? Do you ever steal (even small things)? Even though you don't believe in God, do you use His name in vain? Have you ever looked upon a woman to lust after her?"
Every man is guilty of the law. Under the Holy Spirit's conviction, you can circumvent a man's intellect and touch his conscience just by pointing out the moral law.