On May 18, 2019, extremists in Nigeria stormed a Christian choir practice and abducted 17 people. These sisters in Christ may never be seen again, some will be killed, others sold into the sex slave trade, others will be forced to marry their Jihadist captors. In fact, in 2018, 3731 Christians in Nigeria were martyred. The question we must ask ourselves in comfortable America is, “How much do we really care?” In Sri Lanka during Easter 2019, terrorist bombings resulted in the loss of 320 lives of our Christian brothers and sisters. Again, how much did this loss of life to our brothers and sisters really impact us? If this were to happen in New York or Old Bridge would the reaction be different? Would relief teams be sent in? Would concerts be planned? We are told in Hebrews 13:3, “Remember the prisoners as if chained with them - those who are mistreated - since you yourselves are in the body also.” Complacency and apathy are deadly and has spread like a blanket over the American church. Most in this nation have never tasted persecution on a scale like our fellow Christians have tasted in other parts of the world. C.S. Lewis said, “We regard God as an airman regards his parachute; it’s there for emergencies but he hopes he’ll never have to use it.” A Chinese Christian recently visited the United States touring a number of churches. When asked his thoughts at the end of the trip as to American spirituality, he responded, “I am amazed at how much the church in America can accomplish without the Holy Spirit.”

The people in Judah just prior to be taken into captivity were completely complacent and apathetic to the things of God. After describing the coming destruction through Jeremiah, we read in 13:25, “This is your lot, The portion of your measures from Me,” says the Lord, “Because you have forgotten Me And trusted in falsehood.” Jeremiah is deeply saddened by the prophecies he is delivering and what they will mean, as we read in 13:17, “But if you will not hear it, My soul will weep in secret for your pride; My eyes will weep bitterly And run down with tears, Because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive.” The people would not listen due to pride and apathy. They didn’t believe and didn’t care. But notice Jeremiah’s reaction and how similar it was to Jesus’ reaction after declaring the “woes” to the Pharisees in Matthew 23, as we read Jesus’ reaction in 23:37, as He wept saying, “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” Many at that time in Judah gave the pretense of religiosity, but we read in Jeremiah 12:2, “...You are near in their mouth But far from their mind.” Many like to list our trials and tribulations to others complaining to one another how difficult our lives are. Yet Paul, who withstood stoning, beatings, shipwrecks, the likes of which most of us will never know remarks in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” When Jeremiah was feeling the burden of his ministry and his predicament, we read God’s response in Jeremiah 12:5, “If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, Then how can you contend with the horses? And if in the land of peace, In which you trusted, they wearied you, Then how will you do in the floodplain of the Jordan?”

We are living in strange times. The church in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia which is undergoing severe persecution is growing and thriving. The American church which has not seen persecution anywhere near this level continues on their complacent way. Apathy has settled in. Many go through the motions: a little time in devotion, a little prayer, throw a couple of bucks in the collection plate, attend a church with some regularity. You know, going through the motions but nothing overboard. In fact, most Christians look no different than their non-Christian family and friends, and want it that way. This is never God’s prescription for a relationship with Him. We are either all in or not. In our comfortable world and our complacent attitudes what are we doing for the glory of God, since this is the reason we are here? Do we like this earth too much, forgetting that we are citizens of heaven and ambassadors on earth? (Philippians 3:20). We must ask ourselves why are we not weeping and reaching out with the only message that can save as Jeremiah did?

There are really only two choices: we don’t trust God’s Word and believe He is going to do what He says He will do, or we don’t care. Whichever answer to the realization that the majority of those surrounding us are on the wide path to hell, yet remaining silent, is not a good one. So as in Hebrews 13:3, may we pray as if we ourselves were being persecuted, may we reach out to the unsaved as though this were their last day on earth (because for some it will be), may we read like we never read before. God has given us a gift which we don’t deserve, may we all show just how much this gift really means to us.