By Writer William Wright (June 2015)
Those who do not identify with any religion are now the second-largest group in the United States with nearly 23 percent of the population, according to a new survey from the Pew Research Center.
The Pew Forum on Religion in Public Life reports that the “religiously unaffiliated,” which includes atheists, agnostics, and those who claim “nothing in particular,” now make up 22.8 percent of the American population, up from 16.1 percent in 2007.
“America is transforming before our eyes,” said Ronald A. Lindsay, president and CEO of the Center for Inquiry, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to foster a secular society based on science, reason and humanist values.
“We are witnessing a tectonic shift from a nation nearly unified in its religiousness a generation ago, to an America where increasing numbers of Americans are rejecting religious doctrines and are living lives largely free of religious influence. While it’s important to acknowledge that not all of the ‘Nones’ are nonbelievers, this sharp decline in religious affiliation points to a growing embrace of religious doubt among Americans,” Lindsay said.
The Pew report added that by 2050, “Globally, about 40 million people are projected to switch into Christianity, while 106 million are projected to leave, with most joining the ranks of the religiously unaffiliated.”
To many this may come as a shock since more evangelists are spreading “the Word” in record numbers via the Internet, TV, phones, radio, emails, in public places and from door-to-door. But should this really come as a surprise?
At Luke 18:8 Jesus asked a question that indicated how difficult it was going to be for true Christians to maintain their faith. He said, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he really find faith on the earth?” — New King James Version. Young’s Literal Translation correctly included “the” faith, referring to a Christ-like faith in God, the only faith that mattered to Jesus. 1Timothy 4:1 foretold, “The Spirit says clearly that in later times some believers will desert the Christian faith. They will follow spirits that deceive, and they will believe the teachings of demons.” — GOD’S WORD Translation.
One reason God-fearing people are losing faith is because many are fed up with religious hypocrisy. They see a disregard for God’s standards tolerated and even encouraged in many religions today. Jesus himself foretold at Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” — New Living Translation.
Since these doomed hypocrites call Jesus ‘Lord, Lord’ and perform miracles in Jesus’ name, they may have counted themselves among true Christians. Yet, Jesus tells them, “I never knew you.” Clearly Jesus sees Christian hypocrisy. He knows his sheep who are doing God’s will and those who are not. But instead of searching for a body of Christians who fit the description of true Christians, many lose faith and give up altogether.
At Luke 13:24 Jesus urged: “Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail.” — New Living Translation. Why would many fail? They did not make every effort to fight for their faith but chose to give up. Faith requires endurance. Jesus foretold at Matthew 24:13: “He that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” — KJV.
It was never supposed to be easy to maintain true Christian faith in the face of changing morals (2Timothy 3:1-5), ridiculers (2Peter 3:3-4) and religious hypocrisy (Romans 16:17-18). Faith requires the ability to endure, which Jesus set the perfect example of. As 1Peter 2:21 reminds us: “You were called to this kind of endurance, because Christ suffered on your behalf. He left you an example so that you might follow in his footsteps.” — Common English Bible.
In fact, the Bible is full of examples of men and women who became living proof that real faith is a product of God’s holy spirit, as Galatians 5:22-23 assures. So read God’s Word daily to strengthen your faith. Keep praying for more faith and work in harmony with your prayers.
As 2Corinthians 10:15 shows, our faith can “grow” or “increase” over time, especially if we learn more about God and do the things pleasing to Him. Then you will be able to follow the counsel at Hebrews 6:12: “Be imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” — New World Translation.
Yes, promises of a world without pain, sickness, sorrow and death — a world that only awaits those who did not lose faith, but strengthened and exercised their faith right down to the very end.
http://clevelandbanner.com/stories/wright-way-maintaining-faith-in-god,9340?
Source4Good
Presented by Patrica B
Reposted with permission from William Wright (February 2023)