Daily devotion – Our God is an Awesome God versus “Indifference!”
Acts 17:30–34 – The Danger of Indifference
“God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.”
– Acts 17:30–31
Paul had arrived in Athens and found the city overflowing with idols. The Greeks worshipped many gods—even erecting an altar to the “Unknown God.” From Mars Hill, Paul boldly declared the truth of the One True God—the Creator, the Righteous Judge, and the Redeemer. He proclaimed the gracious patience of God, who had once overlooked ignorance, but now commands everyone, everywhere to repent. Why? Because a day of judgment has been set, and the appointed Judge is none other than Jesus Christ—risen from the dead!
The crowd responded in three distinct ways:
Mocking – Some laughed with contempt, dismissing Paul’s message.
Curiosity – Others were intrigued, wanting to hear more at a later time.
Belief – A small number believed and joined Paul, placing their faith in Jesus.
But there’s a fourth response—not recorded in the passage, yet tragically common today: Indifference.
Indifference is perhaps the most dangerous response to the Word of God. Unlike mocking or anger, which still indicate engagement, indifference is passive and cold. It says, “That was a nice message,” and moves on untouched.
This same indifference devastates marriages—when couples simply exist in the same space without genuine connection or care. And it can devastate our walk with God too.
Jesus warned the Laodicean church, a picture of the lukewarm last-days Church:
“I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”
– Revelation 3:19
If we can sit under the teaching of God’s Word week after week and remain unmoved, something is deeply wrong. Jesus’ charge to the Ephesian church also rings true:
“You don’t love me or each other as you did at first… Turn back to me and do the works you did at first.”
– Revelation 2:4–5
Ask yourself each time you hear God’s Word:
Has sin dulled my hearing?
Am I filled more with the world than with the Spirit?
Have I lost my first love?
Let us long for God as the psalmist wrote:
“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God.”
– Psalm 42:1
Our relationship with Jesus is never meant to be just “nice.” It should be vibrant, passionate, and reverent—for He is…
“Glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders.”
– Exodus 15:11
May our hearts burn within us every time His Word is opened.