The apostle Paul warned the Ephesians
about the danger of walking as the ungodly people walked
(Eph. 4:17).
He said that they (the Gentiles), "being past feeling gave themselves up
to lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness"
(v. 19).
These people, "being past feeling,"
walked in ignorance, alienation, and vanity of mind because of the
hardening of their hearts. To such people God will send "a working of
error, that they should believe a lie; that they all might be judged who
believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness"
(2 Thess. 2:11, 12).
One "past feeling" is pathetic indeed.
There is hope for one as long as he has not reached spiritual
insensibility. But when he has become callous and hardened in heart to
the extent that no response whatsoever is given to the preaching of
the gospel of Christ, a sad and almost hopeless situation exists.
Do you suppose any today are "past
feeling"?
"Being past feeling" may cause
continuation in worldliness. Many love the association of the devil and
his servants more than God and His people.
Sectarianism is the result of men
"being past feeling." They feel no restraint in relegating the New
Testament to the back seat. "Will worship" is prevalent and replaces the
will of Christ. Men's names are worn; their doctrines are obeyed. Hearts
are hardened against the truth.
Some at Corinth were "past feeling."
They were "puffed up" concerning sin
(I Cor. 5).
Demas loved the "present world"
(2 Tim. 4:10).
The Laodiceans were wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked
(Rev. 3:17).
They were so far "past feeling" that they could not see their actual
condition.
In the nineteenth century men in the
church of the Lord contended for missionary societies and instrumental
music in worship because they were "past feeling" any respect for the
authority of the scriptures.
Modern day innovators are "past
feeling" that anything is wrong when churches donate to missionary and
benevolent societies. They see nothing wrong with church camps, socials,
dining halls, recreational facilities, or a church chorus (they are
still opposed to a choir!). One can get no response from such people
with an appeal for an open investigation of the scriptures. They are
"past feeling" that the scriptures are a complete guide and feel free to
encourage the church to act in areas where the Bible is silent.
Our plea is for men to feel a proper
respect for the authority of the scriptures. Let the church be what
Christ intended it to be, and let it do what the New Testament
authorizes. Let us again call upon all men to speak as the "oracles of
God" (I Pet.
4:11).
