Why I Am Not Catholic Anymore - How Much Is Enough?

How many licks does it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Pop ^TM?  The wise old owl says, “The world will never know.”  The same is true when it comes to getting a Catholic out of Purgatory.  This was one of the most unsettling questions I had as a Catholic.    According to the two volume set, Catholicism, Volume II page 1143, “There is for all practical purposes, no biblical basis for the doctrine of purgatory.” (McBrien, 1143).  So why even believe in it?  What purpose does it serve and are millions of Catholics being deceived in to thinking that it exists on the basis of scripture. 

According to Webster’s Dictionary, purgatory is a supposed place or state after death, in which the souls of persons are purified, or in which they expiate such offenses committed in this life, as do not merit eternal damnation. After this purgation from the impurities of sin, the souls are supposed to be received into heaven.  The Roman Catholic Catechism explains purgatory in paragraphs 1030-1032 and 1472 as follows: 

1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the Councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire.

As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age nor in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.

1032 This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead, already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." From the beginning the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead: Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them. ( St. John Chrysostom, Hom. in 1 Cor. 41,5:PG 61,361; cf. Job 1:5.)

1472 To understand this doctrine and practice of the Church, it is necessary to understand that sin has a double consequence. Grave sin deprives us of communion with God and therefore makes us incapable of eternal life, the privation of which is called the "eternal punishment" of sin. On the other hand every sin, even venial, entails an unhealthy attachment to creatures, which must be purified either here on earth, or after death in the state called Purgatory. This purification frees one from what is called the "temporal punishment" of sin. These two punishments must not be conceived of as a kind of vengeance inflicted by God from without, but as following from the very nature of sin. A conversion which proceeds from a fervent charity can attain the complete purification of the sinner in such a way that no punishment would remain.

After reading these paragraphs from the Roman Catholic Catechism, what questions come to mind?  Several questions that I asked myself, and my Priest was, “How much time do I have to knock off in Purgatory, how much sin do I have to atone for, and how much do I have to do to make that happen since it is me that has to do that?”  To further your thinking, ponder this.  An 80 year old man dies and goes to purgatory.  In order for him to get out he has to rely on his living loved ones to bail him out.  Since they don’t know how much, they would have to move rather quickly and put forth all efforts to get him out of jail into the freedom of heaven.  The ages of his family ranges from his nephew of 5 to his wife of 75.  If they die the same time as him, they have between 5 and 75 years at best to get this done (being his nephew remembers him through the years and his wife doesn’t fall to Alzheimer’s disease or dementia).  If they don’t, who would go before him by way of indulgences or prayer to rescue him if in fact they never knew him to begin with?  If it didn’t take him 75 years to accomplish this feat, the chances of the rest of his family finishing the task for him are slim.  And he is just one person.  What about the rest of his catholic family?   

So what is done to get a person out of purgatory…having masses said in the deceased name, prayer, and indulgences (RCC - 1032).  According to the United States Catechism for Adults, it states,

“The Church assists those in Purgatory through prayer and especially Eucharist in their final process of purification.  Offering Masses for the deceased is a most powerful way of aiding them.  November 2 of each year, the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed (All Souls Day), is a day for special remembrance and prayer for the dead.” (154). 

Of course we are still found wanting as to how much.  How many Masses, prayers, indulgences does it take to get a Catholic out of Purgatory. 

What is puzzling to me is that according to the Roman Catholic Catechism, justification comes to us by baptism and faith in Jesus Christ. 

1990 Justification detaches man from sin which contradicts the love of God, and purifies his heart of sin. Justification follows upon God's merciful initiative of offering forgiveness. It frees from the enslavement to sin, and it heals. It reconciles man with God.

1991 Justification is at the same time the acceptance of God's righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. Righteousness (or "justice") here means the rectitude of divine love. With justification, faith, hope, and charity are poured into our hearts, and obedience to the divine will is granted us.

1992 Justification has been merited for us by the Passion of Christ who offered himself on the cross as a living victim, holy and pleasing to God, and whose blood has become the instrument of atonement for the sins of all men. Justification is conferred in Baptism, the sacrament of faith. It conforms us to the righteousness of God, who makes us inwardly just by the power of his mercy. Its purpose is the glory of God and of Christ, and the gift of eternal life.

So according to the Roman Catholic Catechism, since Catholics are justified by baptism and faith in Jesus Christ for the cleansing of sin, why then is Purgatory ever mentioned if there is no need for it.  Want my opinion…save your money and be justified by God’s grace and mercy. 

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Though the bible doesn’t speak about purgatory, we can gain some insight into who, and where believers and unbelievers go in eternity.

Romans 3:24-26 KJV: Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:  (25) Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;  (26)  To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.

Romans 5:9 KJV:  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

Romans 5:1-2 KJV:  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:  (2) By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

John 14:6 KJV:  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

1 Timothy 2:5 KJV:  For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

John 5:24 KJV:  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

 These are only a few of the verses that speak of justification, but I challenge every Catholic out there to read their bibles and see for themselves what it says about justification, hell, heaven, who goes there, and how.  Don’t take my word for it, but seek for yourself what it says.  Ask the priest of your local parish as to how many indulgences, masses, and prayers get people out of purgatory.  Challenge them to answer the questions and don’t give up until you have the answers you are looking for.  I did the same ten years ago and am very happy I did.  I now have assurance of my salvation in the blood of Jesus Christ only, and not on any works that I can do.

Why I Am Not Catholic Anymore - Somthing About Mary

This is a continuation of my blog series, “Why I Am Not Catholic Anymore”.  One thing that I never quite figured out is that thing about Mary.  After I became a Christian I was attending a mass for my goddaughter who was making her first communion and saw something startling.  As I looked ahead at the front of the church I saw Jesus hanging on the cross.  To the left, there was a statue of Joseph, and on the right, a statue of Mary.  I noticed there were flowers at the mass.  There were WAY more flowers in front of Mary than there are Jesus and Joseph COMBINED.  When I showed this to my goddaughters father all he could say was, “That’s fu@#ed up!”  Why is that?  Let’s have a look. 

Mary Is Worshipped

According to the Roman Catholic Catechism, the church gives special devotion to Mary and is part of their worship. 

“All generations will call me blessed": "The Church's devotion to the Blessed Virgin is intrinsic to Christian worship. The Church rightly honors "the Blessed Virgin with special devotion. From the most ancient times the Blessed Virgin has been honored with the title of 'Mother of God,' to whose protection the faithful fly in all their dangers and needs. . . . This very special devotion . . . differs essentially from the adoration which is given to the incarnate Word and equally to the Father and the Holy Spirit, and greatly fosters this adoration." The liturgical feasts dedicated to the Mother of God and Marian prayer, such as the rosary, an "epitome of the whole Gospel," express this devotion to the Virgin Mary – CCC 971

So according to the Catholic Church, we are to pray to Mary, and have feasts and holy days to honor her.  Also let’s list some of the titles that the Catechism calls Mary and tell me if they don’t seem like worship to you. Advocate bennefactrix, helper, mediatrix (CCC 969); The New Eve, Mother of the church (CCC 975); Mother of God, Seat of Wisdom (CCC 721); Mother of the members of Christ (CCC 963); and Queen over all things (CCC 966). 

Devotion according to Websters Dictionary, means:

1. The state of being dedicated, consecrated, or solemnly set apart for a particular purpose.

2. A solemn attention to the Supreme Being in worship; a yielding of the heart and affections to God, with reverence, faith and piety, in religious duties, particularly in prayer and meditation; devoutness.

3. External worship; acts of religion; performance of religious duties.

As I passed by and beheld your devotions. Acts 17.

4. Prayer to the Supreme Being. A Christian will be regular in his morning and evening devotions.

5. An act of reverence, respect or ceremony.

6. Ardent love or affection; attachment manifested by constant attention; as, the duke was distinguished by his devotion to the king, and to the interest of the nation.

7. Earnestness; ardor; eagerness.

8. Disposal; power of disposing of; state of dependence.

The bible states in Mary’s own words, that she was in need of a savior, and realized she was a sinner in the eyes of God.   The power was not in herself, but in her God. 

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.

(Luke 1:46-49 KJV)

People will call her blessed, not worshipped.  The Greek word here for blessed is makarizo which means fortunate, happy.  In this sense I can honestly say that she was blessed.  The Holy Bible never says to honor a person, let alone Mary, the mother of Jesus. 

Pope John Paul II was known for his fascination of Mary, and has dedicated his entire life to her.  The large M on his crest was for Mary.  He said that she was the one that saved him in the first attempt to take his life, and many times we see pictures of him worshipping her graven image.  This is not simple honor, but pagan worship. 

Mary As Co-Redemptress

Let’s say that you have cancer.  A brain tumor and you need to get it out.  You call the hospital, and they patch you through to the Oncology department.  They go to set up an appointment with one of the doctors, when you tell them that you want to speak with his or her mother.  Why would you need to speak with his mother?  What can she do, that the doctor can’t do himself?  It sounds strange if you put it that way, but then again, this is essentially what the Roman Catholic Church teaches.  That Mary helps Jesus save souls. 

The RCC says that Mary is co-mediatrix, which salvation is made through Christ and Mary. 

"This motherhood of Mary in the order of grace continues uninterruptedly from the consent which she loyally gave at the Annunciation and which she sustained without wavering beneath the cross, until the eternal fulfillment of all the elect. Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation . . . . Therefore the Blessed Virgin is invoked in the Church under the titles of Advocate, Helper, Benefactress, and Mediatrix." – CCC 969

So how does this work?  According to the United States Catholic Catechism for Adults, Catholics pray to Mary for her to pray for them.  It also says that from earliest times Christians have sought for her help, but it does not say when this started.  If it started from earliest times, this practice would be consistent with the first century church and mentioned in the gospels and, or epistles of the New Testament.  But it is not mentioned anywhere in scripture. 

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(John 3:16 KJV)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

(John 14:6 KJV)

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

(Acts 4:12 KJV)

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;

(1 Timothy 2:5 KJV)

 There is no salvation in anyone else but Jesus Christ.  Not Mary, the Pope, Saints, nor anyone else holds that title but Jesus Christ.  Praise God we don’t have to look for salvation in anyone else, nor look to anyone else to come close to the throne room of God.  Just in the work that was already done on the cross.

The Bodily Ascension Of Mary Did Not Happen

In November of 1950, Pope Pius XII declared what is called “The Assumption of Mary”.  It was the idea that Mary did not die, but was taken up to heaven bodily and is alive and well as Jesus is.  If you look in the previous section in CCC 969 it says Mary was, “Taken up to heaven she did not lay aside this saving office but by her manifold intercession continues to bring us the gifts of eternal salvation”.  In the award winning volume set, Catholicism, by Catholic Theologian Richard P. McBrian, he indicates that the event never took place, and that it was just an idea that had caught on and believed in the church. 

“From the beginning of the sixth century various churches celebrated Mary’s bodily assumption into heaven.  The belief originated not from biblical evidence, nor even patristic testimony, but as the conclusion of a so-called argument from convenience or fittingness.  It was “fitting” that Jesus should have rescued his mother from the corruption of the flesh, and so he “must have” taken her bodily into heaven.” (McBrien, Vol II, 873) 

And he is right.  Nowhere in scripture does it mention the bodily ascension of Mary, the mother of Jesus.   Before Jesus died on the cross he told the apostle John to take care of His mother. 

Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

(John 19:25-27 KJV)

Here John would have been around 18 years old, the youngest of all the apostles and outlived them all.  He wrote the Gospel of John, the Epistles of john (I, II, and III), and also the book of Revelation which wasn’t written until 70 years after the crucifixion.  If anyone would have known about the bodily assumption of Mary, the mother of Jesus, John would have written about such a glorious event.  But he didn’t.  Not only that but if Jesus were planning on taking His mother back to heaven, why take the trouble of giving her to John to take care of especially if Jesus had other brothers to do so.  Not only does scripture not record the event, nor anywhere else in any historical record, but it just doesn’t make sense. 

Mary’s Prayers Don't Deliver Souls

It is also here in CCC 966 that her prayers deliver souls.

"Finally the Immaculate Virgin, preserved free from all stain of original sin, when the course of her earthly life was finished, was taken up body and soul into heavenly glory, and exalted by the Lord as Queen over all things, so that she might be the more fully conformed to her Son, the Lord of lords and conqueror of sin and death." The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is a singular participation in her Son's Resurrection and an anticipation of the resurrection of other Christians:

In giving birth you kept your virginity; in your Dormition you did not leave the world, O Mother of God, but were joined to the source of Life. You conceived the living God and, by your prayers, will deliver our souls from death. – CCC 966

The Holy Bible says exactly the opposite, those prayers to the dead, or anyone else but God, is not biblical, and an abomination.

Conclusion

So why all the fuss and emphasis about Mary?  I honestly can’t tell you.  I have no idea.  All I know is that  I knew when I was faced with the decision to continue being Catholic, or becoming a bible believing Christian, that the issue of Mary, and the worship and devotion that I have given her over the years would come into play.  Though I simpithise with those who are Catholic and maybe looking at the idea of Mary for the first time may be a bit hard to swallow.  My prayer is that you would seek yourselves.  Look at your bible, and your Catholic Catechism and search them diligently.  Eternity is a long time to be wrong. 

Stay tuned for the next segment, “Why Can’t I Just Be a Good Muslim?”.

Why I Am Not Roman Catholic...Anymore (Intro)

One of the purposes of this blog is to show that you should always test the things that you believe. When I go to the streets witnessing, I find more often people are a certain belief because that’s what their parents are, or how they are raised. I may ask, “Why do you believe this?” and they will say, “Well that’s what my parents are.” To which I reply, “I asked you what YOU believed…not your parents.” I hate to say this…but I stopped putting faith in other people a long time ago. The fact is that when you die you will face God on judgment day ALONE, so you best be finding this stuff out on your own to make the best choice.


For the blog series, why did I pick Roman Catholicism? Well, I used to be a Roman Catholic, and what better religion to start with than my previous one. There are a lot of religions out there, but I don’t know any one better than Roman Catholicism. I lived it. I was an Acolyte (Altar Boy) for 9 years, I wanted to be a Eucharistic Minister (which I was turned down), become a priest, and then ultimately become the first American Pope (to which was a long shot…but I could dream). Some childhood friends called me Father Frank, and when I was a boy I used to hold mass for my sisters stuffed animals. I loved being Catholic. I went on retreats, daytrips as an Alter Boy, got paid for serving weddings and funerals, it was great. But as I got older, I was found wanting. I was discontent, and really didn’t know much if not any of the bible. I started asking priests questions and I got multiple answers. In time, found that the Catholic Church couldn’t give me what I longed for…no matter how good the intentions were.

I am not here to bash Catholics. Not in any way. Now I must say I love Roman Catholics. They are some of the most devout, committed, spiritual people I know. In fact on the front line of fighting abortion…I have to say that Roman Catholics take the cake. This blog isn’t about so much against the individual in the pew. It’s against the system that leaves those in the pew guessing, wondering, and ultimately lost. I hope they read this, but it’s to show that their belief system falls way short. In the next few blogs I will uncover some of the things that I believed, in comparison to the bible, and also uncover some of the things that you may find shocking that you never knew about Roman Catholicism. But I ask that you please keep an open mind, and email me here.

If you have any questions, want to correct me, or just yell at me and call me nasty stuff. It’s cool. If you have a problem…I ask that you email me, and we can discuss it as adults privately.

My Sources

I wanted to things the right way, and not just write something from hearsay and then say it’s from the Catholic Church. The sources for Roman Catholicism I will be using is the the Official Roman Catholic Catechism, Vatican II, as my primary Catholic source. It is stamped with the official insignia of Pope John Paul II,
and is written by Joseph A. Ratzinger, who is Pope Benedict XVI, the current Pope today. A fine standard of Roman Catholic doctrine…wouldn’t you agree. If you do not have a copy of the Catechism, you can find this online from the official Vatican website.
Other sources may be used as I see fit as I will be dealing with historical evidences, and such, but will be sited so you can look at them for yourself.

The sources for protestant Christianity I will be using is the Authorized Holy Bible King James Version. It is regarded by all Christian churches and denominations as the primary source of faith and doctrine. Other sources will be added when needed, but primarily, these will be used most. If you don’t own a bible, you can find one online at either here or here.

Closing

I understand that many will be upset with me over this. The reality is you are not mad at me, you are mad at what the Roman Catholic Church has said in their own writings, and what the Holy Bible says. Have you ever wondered what makes different religions different? I agree with some things that the Catholic Church teaches. I believe that abortion is wrong, that a baby is human from conception, and that God is made up of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Trinity). But it’s in the differences that make us different. In the end…one has to win. As you will see…you cannot believe both.

Still not convinced? Answer to yourself these questions:

1. Do you own a bible? If you do, when was the last time you read it, and what did you read?

2. When was the last time you were taught the bible in a Catholic Church? Are you taught the bible every week? If you were…name the chapters and verses.

3. When you went to mass last week…what did you learn?

4. What is the point of standing, sitting, and kneeling in different parts of the mass?

5. Where do you find the word “Catholic” in the bible?

6. Where do you find the word “Purgatory” in the bible?

7. Are you born again?

I’m not here to ruffle feathers over this issue. I just want you to know the reasons why I became a Christian, and left Roman Catholicism. To answer some of the questions that I have had over the years, and that you would know some of what your religion believes. Isn’t it important to examine what your religion teaches and believes? I think so, and so should you.

Significance of the First Miracle - John 2:1-11

As I was studying for my Sunday School class on the wedding at Cana, Jesus' first miracle, I came across this amazing little tid-bit of information in my Evidence Bible from Living Waters. I thought it was pretty facinating, and something I never thought of before.  As I looked through this list it amazes me how Jesus came to give life and life abundantly.  (John 10:10). But we must come on His terms...not ours (John 10:1-18).  Jesus wants to save the entire world, and through Him we can have forgiveness, and peace with God. Jesus IS the new covenant, God's plan of redemption, and I thank God for Him. 

The significance of the first miracle.




1.  The turning of water into blood was the first of the public miracles that Moses did in Egypt (Exodus 7:20). Turning water into wine was the first miracle Jesus performed (John 2:11).


2.  The signs that God gave to Egypt in the OT was plagues, destruction, and death. The signs that Jesus did in the world in the NT was healings, blessings, and life.


3.  The turning of water to blood initiated Moses as a type of savior (Deuteronomy 18:15) leading Israel out of bondage from Egypt into earthly liberty. The turning of water to wine initiated Jesus taking His people out of bondage of the world into glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:21).


4.  The turning of water into blood culminated the firstborn in Egypt being delivered to death. The turning of water to wine culminated in the life of the Firstborn being delivered from death (Colossians 1:18).


5.  The law was a ministration of death; the gospel was a ministration of life. One written on cold stone, the other on warm hearts. One a ministration of sin unto condemnation, the other a ministration of righteousness unto life and liberty (2 Corinthians 3:7-9).


6.  When Moses turned water to blood, all the fish died. When Jesus initiated the new covenant, the catch of fish are made alive in the net of the kingdom of God (Matthew 4:19).


7.  The river of blood was symbolic of death for Egypt. The water into wine was symbolic of life for the world. The letter of the Law kills, but the Spirit makes alive (2 Corinthians 3:6).


8.  When Moses turned the waters of Egypt into blood, the river reeked and made the Egyptians search for another water source (Exodus 7:21-24). When the Law of Moses did the work in a sinner it makes life odious for him. The weight of sin on his back is unbearable as he begins to labor and be heavy laden under it’s weight. Like the Egyptians he searches for another water source and begins to search for “righteousness” because he knows without right standing with God, he will perish.


9.  Moses turned water to blood; Jesus blood turned into water (1 John 5:6). They both poured from His side (John 19:34) perhaps signifying that both law and grace found harmony in the Saviors’ death – “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other” (Psalm 85:10).


10.  The water of the old covenant ran out, it could do nothing but leave the sinner with a thirst for righteousness. But as with the wine at Cana, God saved the best until last. The new wine given on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:13; Eph 5:18) was the Bridegroom giving us the new and “better” covenant (Hebrews 8:5,6).


Comfort, Ray. "The Significance of the First Miracle." Comfort, Ray. The Evidence Bible. Orlando, Florida 32822 USA: Bridge-Logos, 2003. 1342.

After reading this, I just don't understand how the Jewish people can look at Jesus who turned water to wine, performed countless miracles, fulfulled over 300 prophecies, and not see that He is the Messiah.  If you are struggling with who Jesus is, and sincerely wanting to know...please contact me, or seek someone in your life who knows.  Read the Bible for yourself and pray that God will reveal Himself to you.   You owe it to yourself to at least look, and see what the best-selling book of all time says.  God be with you. 

Apathy - Overcoming Unbelief

Hebrews 3:13 gives us a clue to overcoming unbelief.

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief,
in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it
is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of
sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our
confidence steadfast unto the end; - Hebrews 3:12-14

Exhort one another daily
Fellowship is so important in a Christian’s life. Without the exhortation and encouragement of other believers, one may fall rather quickly and be sucked into the vortex of the flesh and world. I need fellowship. I cannot live without it. Without the daily encouragement of others, I am prone to stop fighting the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12). I need Christian men of good character to build me up, and to lift me up every day. Not just once a week. We need to keep our eyes on the prize daily.

And what are the things the bible teaches us to do daily:
• Take up our cross and follow Jesus (Luke 9:23)
• Teach and witness (Mat 26:55, Luke 19:47, Acts 5:42, 17:17, 19:9)
• Deny and Die to ourselves (Luke 9:23, 1 Cor 15:31;
• Read and search the scriptures (Ne 8:18; Acts 17:11)
• Worship God and Fellowship with other believers (Acts 2:46-47)

And what can I do to exhort and be exhorted?
• Find Christians with like passions and share ideas on how to be better equipped.
• Share your victories with people who need encouragement.
• Encourage others.
• Set in your heart a goal of reaching one person a day for Christ.
• Work on asking yourself questions that may be asked by someone and using Scripture to answer them.

Hold the beginning of our confidence, steadfast to the end
Actions speak louder than words…correct? A man’s choices will follow the belief in his heart. If he believes (or not) whether God, the bible, heaven, hell, etc are true…his life will correspond to those beliefs. They have to. If a person doesn’t witness, and doesn’t care to either…it reveals the lack of need in his heart to do that very thing. It reveals he or she does not believe the words of the bible and the need to preach the gospel to every creature.

What are some things we hold onto or grasp tightly? They are those things that are valuable, and secure. When I asked my wife to marry me, I wanted it to be a special place. It was ten rows center of a standing room only of an Alice Cooper concert in an outdoor venue. It was a perfect night, but it could have ended in perfect disaster because I was holding in my hand a $3000 ring. Instead of carrying it in my pocket for fear of losing it in a mosh pit, I insisted on holding it…very tightly…so tightly that when I finally gave it to her it was covered in blood. Secure is something that is safe, immovable, solid and firm. When people find themselves in earthquakes they run towards the safest, strongest place in their house, which is a doorway and hold on. While everything all around is falling, shaking, and breaking, they are protected by the one thing that will not move. As Christians, the one thing in our lives that is valuable and secure is the Word of God.

What is the beginning of our confidence? It’s basically the time when we first believed. When we first knew true that God was real, that Jesus was our Lord, and the cross saved us from the penalty of sin in hell. We heard the gospel and believed it (Romans 10:13-17). With some of us though, as we get older in our Christian walk, we tend to fall backwards. We don’t go to the bible studies we used to, or not pray as much. We forget what it was like to be amazed at Christ and the power of His amazing grace. Paul writes Timothy to, “Stir up the gift of God which is in you…” (2 Timothy 1:6). Three times Paul gives examples of remembrance here also in vs 3, 4, and 2:8. In 2 Timothy 2:14 he writes Timothy to remind the faithful, teachable men of what Paul instructed him to do. Remembering is a powerful tool from the Lord. 1 Corinthians 4:17, 2 Peter 1:12, 3:1: Revelation 2:5, 3:3.

Final Thoughts
I have to admit, one of the hardest things being an American Christian is living in America. It is so full of pleasures, and pulls, things to do; wants and desires. With the added duties of being a husband, employee, among other titles, one has to think it would be impossible to do things on a daily basis. But the thing is that we do what is important to us. Ask yourself, “Is reaching the lost important to me?” If yes, then ask, “What am I doing about it?” If not, then ask, “Why not?” Conquering apathy is not easy in America, but it is so needed. Take the first step in climbing out of the pit of apathy today.

Apathy - The Cause...Unbelief.

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily,
while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness
of sin. 14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our
confidence steadfast unto the end;

- Hebrews 3:12-14

As I searched the scriptures and looked to see what the cause of apathy is…I spent some time battling it myself. Ever since I started this task of breaking down the enemy’s tactics, I found myself battling the very thing that I was determined to expose.

As I was contemplating in my mind the cause of apathy, I asked myself some questions. “Why do you not share your faith with the lost as much as you should”? Fear…maybe. But then I thought about my mother-in-law who drove eight hours to our house when she was battling depression and her own fears about driving to see her daughter who was in unbearable pain after getting a spinal tap. Love conquers fear. But what if the spinal tap didn’t exist? Then there would be no reason to drive. So what if there was no hell? Then there would be no reason to witness. If there was no sickness, there would be no reason for the cure.

What is Unbelief?
Unbelief (Strong’s #570, apistia) simply means, faithlessness, disbelief; and comes from Strong’s #571 (apistos), meaning distrustful, disbeliever, unbeliever, and one without the Christian faith. The reason why unbelief is so dangerous is because everywhere in the bible (including the above verse), unbelief is a characteristic of the unbeliever, the heathen, the evil, and unredeemed. When a person believes, they must act on that belief. Actions speak louder than words as the saying goes.

The Dangers of Unbelief
Unbelief is like a cancer that continues to grow and if untreated will kill and change cells that were once good and pure. Unbelief breeds ingratitude, and makes us cold and uncaring of what is around us. We don’t act according to those beliefs and then those beliefs slowly die. We become indifferent to what is around us, and the people whom we need to share our hope with.
15 Unto the pure (free from the defilements of the flesh and the world), all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess to know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate (not passing the test, rejected). – Titus 1:15-16 (emphasis mine).

When a person is defiled, it is so easy to defile others. That is why in Deuteronomy 20:8 the officers told the people to go home if they are fearful and fainthearted (unbelieving) because fear and unbelief are both contagious. Remember this, “it is easier to pull someone off a ladder, than to pull them up one.”

Not only that, but the final end of the unbelieving, is hell.

8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars will have their part in the lake of fire which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. – Revelation 20:8

Why do the cowardly and unbelieving come first and second in this list? I believe because they have not believed the Father, nor the Son of God, and therefore make him a liar (1 John 5:10). If the end of the unbeliever is eternity in a lake of fire, why should we be like them here on earth?

What about me?
Are you grateful to God and what He has done? Are you grateful for His Provision by sending Jesus Christ on the cross as a payment for your sin debt? Think about what He has done. Take some time to look around you and see all that God has given. Is He worth it? Is He worth my time, talents, and treasure? I wish I can spend so much more time on this subject, for it may be the heart of the matter. Next time, I will look at how one can overcome unbelief with help from the Lord, and others.