I'm always fascinated when surveys or polls are released telling us things about ourselves. Who doesn't find it amusing to think that the average American eats 70 hot dogs per year and 25 pounds of ice cream each year, etc?
But when it comes to things like religion and faith, my amusement ends and serious consideration begins.
When I think about that number -- 85% -- I can't help but think about the amount of crime in America. I think about failed marriages, broken families, abortion, drunkenness, pornography, gambling. I think about a number of things and I ask myself: How could 85% of Americans be Christian, and yet there is so much sin and wickedness running rampant through this nation? Something is seriously wrong.
In an effort to get to the bottom of this paradox, let me ask some questions that may shed some light on this.
The main question I'll ask is this, "What makes one a Christian?" But that raises more questions:
Does going to church make one a Christian?
Does reading the Bible?
Saying a prayer?
Going to Bible study?
Going to the abortion clinic?
Volunteering your time?
Giving your finances?
Praying a "sinners prayer?"v
Being baptized?
Calling yourself a Christian?
Loving others?
Being raised in a "Christian" home?
Going to "Christian" school?
Being a "good" person?
Obeying "The Golden Rule?"
Minding your own business?
Obeying the laws of man?
Obeying the Ten Commandments?
Going to seminary?
Being a pastor?
A deacon?
An elder?
A missionary?
Well? What makes one a Christian? If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, then I've got some good news and some bad news for you.
The bad news first: All of those questions deal with the issue from man's perspective. Every one of them is something that any human being can do. Why is that bad news? Because becoming a Christian isn't something you or I can do on our own. If it was possible for us to do it ourselves, Jesus wouldn't have had to give His life on the cross.
Isaiah said, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isaiah 64:6). What he meant was that all the things we do, which we think endear us to God, are worthless to God. And it makes perfect sense. We're flesh and blood creatures living in a flesh and blood world while He lives in perfect paradise. Our idea of "good" just doesn't measure up to His idea of "good." But this isn't the end of the story.
Now for the Good News: God doesn't leave us to try and figure out a solution that's acceptable to Him, He provided the solution for us.
In John 1:12-13 we have the following: "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." (emphasis added)
You see, there's nothing that man can do for himself because God MUST do it.
Think of it this way: a wealthy man wants to adopt some children. He promises to love them forever; to provide for their needs; to answer them when they call on him with needs or concerns. He will involve them in the family business which will be eternally successful. But when he comes to adopt someone, who makes the final choice? Is up to you or him?
Obviously, the choice is his. Sure, I can tell people that I'm his child. I could even legally change my name to his. But that doesn't make me part of his family, it simply makes me an impostor.
And so it is with God's family. The sad fact is that far too many want to believe they're Christians when they haven't even met the One from Whom we get the name. We want to be the ones who are in control of everything. But being His child requires us to come to Him on His terms.
Thank God, that Jesus' work on Calvary made it possible for anyone to receive His precious gift of eternal life!
If, at this moment, you have any doubts or questions about whether or not you really are a Christian -- "born not of the will of man, but of God" -- I would encourage you to click the link at the top of this page that's labeled "Are you good enough to go to heaven." Read through that message and follow the directions that are given. Then turn to God and allow Him to do in you what only He can do.
References:
Christians: http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=112
Hot Dogs: http://www.hot-dog.org/facts/HotDogQandA.htm
Ice Cream: http://www.cals.wisc.edu/media/learning/pdf/Moo_to_You.pdf