Shrinking Christianity
Bereans,
This week I'll share some truths about the state of "Christianity" in America. The speed at which Americans--particularly the young--are abandoning the church and embracing a life devoid of God is alarming. The rise in percentage of the population that claims "No Religion" has skyrocketed in just a few short years at a pace never before seen in history. Soon, even those who label themselves as "Christian" will be the minority in this country, while those who identify as "No Religion" will be the majority. This has been the reality in Europe and Canada for several decades now.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/christianity-quickly-diminishing-us-pace-become-minority-religion-decades-study
Yes, we know that true believers will never abandon the faith, so those who "walk away" from the church never were truly a part of it. (See 1 John 2:19). We also know that salvation is of the Lord, not of man. (See Ephesians 2:1-10). We can also see that most churches in our time are not proclaiming the true gospel which has the power to save, but instead are offering up teachings that tickle the ears and avoid offense. (See 1 Timothy 4:1-3 and 2 Timothy 4:3-4). Another truth is that the gospel is veiled to those who are perishing. (See 2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
The following article relates that many people are choosing which church they attend based on their politics. In other words, politics is driving their religion instead of their faith informing their politics. They choose their church based on the political beliefs they already have, instead of letting their church help them determine what to think politically. Now, we must also give the benefit of the doubt that many people are leaving their churches because their churches have embraced unbiblical political positions, such as support for abortion and promoting homosexuality. However, finding a church that preaches the unadulterated truth should be the starting point, not a preconceived notion based on political worldviews.
https://justthenews.com/nation/states/center-square/study-shows-more-americans-allow-politics-shape-religion-beliefs
Even at the same time that many churches are embracing liberal, unbiblical positions, unbelievers are becoming even further alienated from anything resembling a biblical worldview. As the true church fades further into that minority status mentioned above, there will be less salt and light in our culture to slow the rot and point the way to the truth. (See Matthew 5:13-16). The truths of the Bible will seem even more foreign to them. In this article, the commentator describes how much unbelievers do not understand Christians or Christ. Without a Christian ethic woven into the fabric of our society, unbelievers and the true church will be increasingly from "different worlds."
https://redstate.com/brandon_morse/2022/09/14/auto-draft-43-2-n627234
Putting all this together, here's the reality we must face: God has chosen at this time to bring about a great falling away from superficial Christianity, even allowing the unbelieving to remain blinded to the gospel, so that the true church would be reduced to a faithful few. Genuine followers of Christ must be ready and willing to "stick out like a sore thumb" as we increasingly become a very small minority in our culture. Yet, until the Lord returns, our calling to be the salt of the earth and light of the world does not change!
Grace and peace to you,
J.W.
This week I'll share some truths about the state of "Christianity" in America. The speed at which Americans--particularly the young--are abandoning the church and embracing a life devoid of God is alarming. The rise in percentage of the population that claims "No Religion" has skyrocketed in just a few short years at a pace never before seen in history. Soon, even those who label themselves as "Christian" will be the minority in this country, while those who identify as "No Religion" will be the majority. This has been the reality in Europe and Canada for several decades now.
https://www.foxnews.com/us/christianity-quickly-diminishing-us-pace-become-minority-religion-decades-study
Yes, we know that true believers will never abandon the faith, so those who "walk away" from the church never were truly a part of it. (See 1 John 2:19). We also know that salvation is of the Lord, not of man. (See Ephesians 2:1-10). We can also see that most churches in our time are not proclaiming the true gospel which has the power to save, but instead are offering up teachings that tickle the ears and avoid offense. (See 1 Timothy 4:1-3 and 2 Timothy 4:3-4). Another truth is that the gospel is veiled to those who are perishing. (See 2 Corinthians 4:3-4).
The following article relates that many people are choosing which church they attend based on their politics. In other words, politics is driving their religion instead of their faith informing their politics. They choose their church based on the political beliefs they already have, instead of letting their church help them determine what to think politically. Now, we must also give the benefit of the doubt that many people are leaving their churches because their churches have embraced unbiblical political positions, such as support for abortion and promoting homosexuality. However, finding a church that preaches the unadulterated truth should be the starting point, not a preconceived notion based on political worldviews.
https://justthenews.com/nation/states/center-square/study-shows-more-americans-allow-politics-shape-religion-beliefs
Even at the same time that many churches are embracing liberal, unbiblical positions, unbelievers are becoming even further alienated from anything resembling a biblical worldview. As the true church fades further into that minority status mentioned above, there will be less salt and light in our culture to slow the rot and point the way to the truth. (See Matthew 5:13-16). The truths of the Bible will seem even more foreign to them. In this article, the commentator describes how much unbelievers do not understand Christians or Christ. Without a Christian ethic woven into the fabric of our society, unbelievers and the true church will be increasingly from "different worlds."
https://redstate.com/brandon_morse/2022/09/14/auto-draft-43-2-n627234
Putting all this together, here's the reality we must face: God has chosen at this time to bring about a great falling away from superficial Christianity, even allowing the unbelieving to remain blinded to the gospel, so that the true church would be reduced to a faithful few. Genuine followers of Christ must be ready and willing to "stick out like a sore thumb" as we increasingly become a very small minority in our culture. Yet, until the Lord returns, our calling to be the salt of the earth and light of the world does not change!
Grace and peace to you,
J.W.
Posted in Church
Tagged with 1 John 2:19, Ephesians 2:1-10, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, Matthew 5:13-16
Tagged with 1 John 2:19, Ephesians 2:1-10, 1 Timothy 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, Matthew 5:13-16
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