Yesterday morning I was saddened to hear of a recent study on the decline of Christianity in the United States.
The survey stated that “people are giving up on Christianity”.
I can see how many are giving up on religion, man-made doctrines and legalistic rules, but how can people give up on Christianity? A Christian is one who is a follower of Christ. How can someone who has followed Christ and known the unconditional love of the Almighty God, our heavenly Father, and His grace, mercy and unfailing forgiveness give up on what they’ve experienced?
Was their experience purely an intellectual one and not a matter of the heart? Have we who are Christ’s followers not truly shown what it means to be in relationship with the Father?
“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 NLT
If our world is to see the depth of God’s love, His character, we are the ones who need to be showing it to them. As His children, we need to be expressing our love for our good Father.
“You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. 2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. 4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. 5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!” II Timothy 3:1-5 NLT
“They will reject the power that could make them godly”. This is how the decline is evolving.
Don’t give up what you have learned and what you know to be true of God’s faithfulness and love.
This morning’s picture is one of my family that was taken for the local paper when I was about 2 1/2 years old. There was an article that accompanied it on families that based their lifestyles in faith and on Biblical principles. Today my mother and father are in heaven and my sister and brother live according to the faith in God that we were taught as children.
“ But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. 15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.” II Timothy 3:14-17 NLT
May I encourage each of us to continue to live according to the Scripture. It is the Father’s word preparing us for every good work.