All over social media I read much about this big debate (I know, you don’t believe me!) that, supposedly, Christianity is dying. In their article, America’s Changing Religious Landscape, the Pew Research Center after an extensive survey states:
The Christian share of the U.S. population is declining, while the number of U.S. adults who do not identify with any organized religion is growing.
Yes, Christianity doesn’t look like it did in the 1950s anymore—no matter how hard many work to try to keep it that way. But, on the other hand, I believe Christianity is rebirthing in America. Before you write me off as another “This is your season false teacher,” hear me out. I do see a new season coming. I see a season of things being shaken out of the Kingdom that don’t belong there. I see the called out ones separating from emotionalism. I see the definition of religion being redefined to its biblical roots. I see hope in a world that seems dark and hopeless.
God will always have his thousands that have not bowed to idols. For those denying to be of Christianity any more, we can affirm what John said that they were never really with us.
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us.
-1 John 2:19
I find it’s no coincidence that this debate targets the same generation that ISIS is seeking to claim for their god.
While the drop in Christian affiliation is particularly pronounced among young adults, it is occurring among Americans of all ages.
I see it as no coincidence that people are falling away from the faith while the so-called Word of Faith movement is robbing the poor blind. I find it no coincidence that all this comes at a time when civil unrest is imploding our country. Or that the doom and gloom preachers are reaping a harvest telling you to look to the moon while they busily add to their bank account.
No matter what it may look like that’s happening, I tell you this—we followers of Jesus Christ are not going anywhere! In fact, the Gates of Hell will never prevail against us. However, if you really want an answer as to why this claim keeps being repeated, I believe Jesus already made it clear to us in his parable of The Sower. Consider what we find in the Gospel of Matthew:
That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach. And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow and as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”
“Hear then the parable of the sower: When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path. As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and it proves unfruitful. As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.” -Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
- God Must Submit to Me, Right? - January 30, 2018
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- Say Hello to 2017…and Goodbye to 2016’s Negativity - January 1, 2017
