The Barna Research Group released a survey a couple of years ago involving 152 separate items comparing the general population with those who define themselves as Christians. The survey revealed that almost 85% of Americans consider themselves Christians. That’s truly amazing because that’s a very large number—247 million people to be exact. Obviously, an inflated number when examined in light of some of the disturbing findings of the survey:• Those who call themselves Christians are no more likely to give help to homeless people on the street than those who consider themselves as non-Christians.
• Those who call themselves Christians are no more likely than non-Christians to correct the mistake when a cashier gives them to much change.
• Those claiming to be Christians are just as likely to have an abortion as a non-Christian.
• Christians divorce at the same rate as those who are non-Christians.
• Even though there are more mega-churches than ever before filled with people who wear the title of Christian, 50% percent of Christian churches didn’t help one single person become a follower of Christ!
• Even with more people than ever defining themselves as Christians, it’s sad to say that in any typical week, 53% of people do not attend church, and very revealing, only 38% of singles will attend church.
This research uncovered the fact that there is virtually no difference between the two groups.
They found no difference in the “attitudes” of Christians and non-Christians, and they found no discernable difference in the “actions” of Christians and non-Christians. This clearly shows that our society’s concept of what it means to be a Christian is someone who is no different than the rest of the world. For the world, its merely a difference in association than an authentic difference in thought, lifestyle, action and mission.
These survey results demonstrate the church has become like the world. This was predictable and was a problem even in the early church. Paul warned the Christians in Rome, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2). The apostle James, in a strongly worded rebuke says, “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes any enemy of God” (James 4:4).
These passages show the temptation to compromise, and the dangers of being conformed again to worldly desires. The unique call of Jesus is to change the world, not to let it change us. Shortly, before his crucifixion, Jesus prays for his followers. He says, “I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:14-17).
Obeying the truth and living as genuine disciples will distinctively set us apart. We must return to a lifestyle that is rooted in God’s Word and empowers us to fulfill Jesus’ mission to our world. It is easy, in fact, fashionable in some quarters to confess Jesus as Lord. Many are willing to give lip service to discipleship, but in our religious culture, where the true distinctions between godliness and worldliness have been blurred, we must also be true disciples that powerfully live what we claim to believe! John said it best, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6)
Shared from The Greater Houston Church