See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so, we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
1 John 3:1 (NIV)
Would you be surprised to know that only 4% of American adults have a Biblical worldview?1 That means that of the population claiming to be Christian, only 4% believe that the Bible is the inerrant and Spirit inspired Word of God.
Only 4% believe that the creation story, the flood, and the narratives of Jesus’ life, including His birth, miracles, death, resurrection, and His return prophesied in Revelation, are all true.
Only 4% know the Bible is true and strive to live by God’s moral law; they believe living in opposition to its teachings is sin.
4%
If that doesn’t shake you as a true follower of Jesus, consider this: 96% of your nation—maybe your friends, family, co-workers, fellow church members—don’t know Jesus. If they die now, they will be separated from God forever.
Now there are other nationalities that read Seed Basket, including many followers of Jesus. I am thankful that you are my brothers and sisters. I’m not disregarding you by focusing this devotion on the statistics in the U.S.; my point is that America is likely the easiest place on earth to be redeemed and live like it.
Other nations, even free nations, have long suffered varying degrees of persecution for their faith in Jesus. In spite of their hardship, it appears that the Church is actually growing some countries outside of the U.S.
Now a majority of Americans refer to themselves as Christians. But calling yourself a Christian does not make it so. Being a good person has never been a qualification for redemption.
But, do you know where the Gospel is exploding?
If you said Africa, Brazil and Asia, you might be right. Reports are positive from countries like China, Brazil, and many countries in Africa. However, due to religious persecution, concrete numbers are hard to obtain. Evidence from missionary agencies and reputable polling firms show growth trends in those nations, with the persecuted Church outpacing free and democratic societies.
Doesn’t that remind you of the growth of the early Church in the New Testament book of Acts? The darker the night got spiritually, the faster and more determined the Church grew. With Rome introducing us to the shame and horror of human Roman Candles2 and the brutality in the Colosseum against believers, the Church grew to about 5,000. And that was just counting men. Paul’s letters tell us about many women who gave their hearts and lives to Jesus.
So, what about your role as a believer? Do you have a mission minded heart in the little part of the world where you live? Are you a slave to cowardice or apathy? Maybe you just haven’t really dug into God’s Word and what it means to be a disciple.
If a lost person asked you to explain the Gospel, could you? Below is a link to easily help you explain the Gospel. Read it often. Practice saying it out loud as if you were sharing with someone. Be prepared to offer the reason for your trust in Jesus.
Now, this is not an opportunity for judging others. No one towers over others at the foot of the cross. True believers have simply accepted God’s free gift of grace.
We live in such a way that no one will stumble because of us, and no one will find fault with our ministry. In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind.
2 Corinthians 6:3 & 4 (NLT)
But let’s not get hung up on numbers. God doesn’t see us as nameless statistics. You should see these 96% of humanity as souls that God loves, in spite of what we see. He loved you and me at our worst, too.
Focus on living rightly before God. If you are living your life to honor God, then your living testimony will be compelling. But nothing looks more repulsive than a believer stuck in habitual sin and a compromising lifestyle, especially when they are pious.
Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.
Psalm 119:37
God’s Church will never be conquered by this world. Don’t lose heart and get depressed by the subject matter of this look at the state of our world.
Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
Matthew 16:18 (NLT)
Be alert. You have a duty to obey the Great Commission of Jesus and the sacrifice He freely gave.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
New Living Translation (NLT)
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
- Barna: Biblical worldview held by only 4% of adults
By Michael Foust, posted December 2, 2003 in ↩︎ - Son of Encouragement ↩︎
Getting the Seed out of the basket and into hungry hearts. Matthew 13 