It is my contention that the #1 sin of modern believers is apathy. We aren’t bad people - we simply live disengaged lives. No matter how much the apathetic Christian might say “It’s not about me,” deep down they know it really is. Christ called us to live engaged lives. He used action words like, love, encourage, go, make disciples, forgive, care, give, pray, lift up, exhort, etc. The apathetic want a life free of risk. If you love, you could be rejected. If you encourage you could be rebuffed. If you go, you could get hurt. If you make disciples you could be disappointed. if you forgive you could be manipulated. If you care at all, you take a risk. The beatitudes teach that reward always follows risk. Here are the beatitudes rewritten for the apathetic believer. The risk has been removed, but also the reward. They might make you smile, they might make you groan, or they might make you cringe, but if they make you do anything at all, perhaps there is hope for you!!
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they don’t seem to bother me much.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they usually hide in a corner and I don’t have to deal with them.
Blessed are the meek, for they don’t get in my face and cause me grief.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness as long as they don’t expect me to.
Blessed are the merciful, for they are easily exploited.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they usually do whatever I ask.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for someone has to clean up my messes.Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for they take the heat off of me!
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