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Did God really say His Word was optional? This is the question to be answered in today’s post. In a nation where 66% of American adults claim to be Christians who are to be the light in a dark world, where is the evidence of their claim?
Before we dig in and take a deeper look, I want to share a Scripture to encourage you. If you are a Follower of Jesus Christ, the following should bring you Peace and Hope in a world that has lost its ever-loving mind.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
“13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.”
“15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus, we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.”
This is the Blessed Hope of a true follower of Christ. This is what I look forward to and hold on to when everywhere I turn, it seems insanity reigns and deception is everywhere.
In today’s world, what the Bible calls good is now thought of as “bad”. Likewise, what the Word of God calls sin, such as homosexuality, abortion, unrestrained sexual behavior, unmarried people living together, etc., is looked upon as “acceptable behavior”. Not just by many of the unsaved population, but BY THOSE WHO CLAIM TO BE CHRISTIANS!!! WHAT?
Most American Christians are Being Deceived
A survey conducted by George Barna, a Professor and Director of Research of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, shows that 66% of adults in America claim to be Christians. However, of the 66% only 4% have a biblical worldview (i.e., Biblical Theism).
To have a Biblical worldview simply means a true Follower of Christ will live their lives according to God’s Word as revealed in the Scriptures.
Read More: What Is a Biblical Worldview and Why Is It Important? – EducateForLife.org
Therefore, if only 4% have a Biblical Worldview, then it stands to reason that the other 96% are tragically being deceived.
The 7 Cornerstones of a Biblical Worldview
George Barna lists seven cornerstones of a Biblical Worldview, which are:
- An orthodox, biblical understanding of God
- All human beings are sinful by nature; every choice we make has moral considerations and consequences.
- The consequences of our sin can only be forgiven and eliminated through Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is available only by our personal, sincere acknowledgment and confession of our sins and complete reliance on His grace for the forgiveness of those sins.
- The entire Bible is true, reliable, and relevant, making it the best moral guide for every person in all situations.
- Absolute moral truth exists—and those truths are defined by God, described in the Bible, and are unchanging across time and cultures.
- The ultimate purpose of human life is to know, love, and serve God with all your heart, mind, strength, and soul.
- Success on Earth is best understood as consistent obedience to God—in thoughts, words, and actions.
You can read Barna’s full article here.
The Dominate Worldview
If only 4% have a Biblical Worldview, what is the dominate worldview of the remainder of those claiming to be “Christians”?
The worldview of 92% of those claiming to be “Christians” is Syncretism. Syncretism, according to the American Heritage Dictionary, is “the reconciliation or fusion of differing systems of belief.”
George Barna, in his article Millions of Americans Embrace Common Unbiblical Perspectives… states:
“Syncretism is the term used to describe a customized blend of philosophies of life that a person pieces together for their own satisfaction. It is therefore impossible to define the tenets of Syncretism in the same manner that one can for ideologically consistent philosophies such as Biblical Theism, Marxism, Secular Humanism, or the other dozen-plus identifiable worldviews.
Syncretism is the result of people relying upon their emotions to appropriate elements of various recognized worldviews toward creating an idiosyncratic, personally pleasing understanding of and response to reality.” – George Barna
The following is from a GotQuestions.org article, What is Religious Syncretism?:
“More recently, religious syncretism can be seen in such religious systems as the New Age, Hinduism, Unitarianism, and Christian Science. These religions are a blending of multiple different belief systems and are continually evolving as the philosophies of mankind rise and fall in popularity.”
“Therein lies the problem, for syncretism relies on the whim of man, not the standard of Scripture. The Bible makes it very clear what true religion is. Religious syncretism is simply not compatible with true Christianity. In fact, any modification to biblical law and principle for the sake of a “better” religion is heresy (Revelation 22:18-19).” – GotQuestions.org
The Dangers of Syncretism
BibleHub.com also has valuable information on the Dangers of Syncretism. Below are a few excerpts.
“In the context of Christianity, syncretism poses a significant threat as it dilutes and distorts the core tenets of the faith. The Bible consistently warns against the incorporation of pagan or foreign elements into the worship of the one true God (see Deuteronomy 12:30-31 and Colossians 2:8). Believers are called to maintain the purity of their faith, resisting the temptation to conform to the world (see Romans 12:2). While syncretism may offer the allure of inclusivity and cultural relevance, it ultimately undermines the foundation of the Christian faith. The Bible’s consistent message is one of separation from falsehood and a steadfast devotion to the truth as revealed in Jesus Christ.”
God’s Word is Not Optional and the Eternal Consequences are Devastating
The sad truth is 96% of those claiming to be “Christians” are being deceived. I rarely use the term “Christian” any longer. I prefer to use Follower of Jesus Christ.
If 92% pick and choose what they want to believe regarding God’s Word, and mix in bits and pieces of other worldviews, let’s not kid ourselves. They are treating the Word of God like a smorgasbord restaurant.
They may call themselves “Christian,” but according to the Word of God, they are not true Followers of Jesus Christ. Moreover, they are on the wide path to eternal separation from God unless they repent and turn to Him fully in obedience to His Word.
Moreover, another survey of Christian pastors in the United States revealed 62% have a predominantly syncretistic worldview, while only 37% possess a biblical worldview.
Therefore, the demonic realm uses these deceived apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and others to convince you that all roads lead to God. However, they do not!
This is What God Really Does Say
Jesus said in Matt 7:13-14: “Enter at the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who are going through it, because small is the gate and narrow is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” MEV…
The Living Bible states Jesus’ Words this way:
“Heaven can be entered only through the narrow gate! The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide enough for all the multitudes who choose its easy way.” “But the Gateway to Life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it.” TLB
To be a Follower of Christ means that you have been born again, and Jesus is Lord in your life. You live according to His standards as revealed in the Scriptures, which are God’s Words (not man’s words or ideas) to mankind.
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” – 2 Peter 1:20-21
Non-Optional Scriptures Revealing What God Really Did Say
- “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. – Jn 14:6
- “He who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” – Jn 5:24
- “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” – Jn 17:3
- “He who believes in Me has everlasting life.” – Jn 6:47
- “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” – Jn 11:25-26
- And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” – Jn 17:3
JESUS CHRIST is the ONLY WAY!
Eternal life is not through Buddha, Mohammad, nor any Hindu, Shinto, New Age Anunnaki gods, or Baal, Molech, Astarte, or Dagon, which are only demonic constructs of Satan. They offer you nothing but lies and an eternity with them in the Lake of Fire as their trophies/spoils of war.
Moreover, it also doesn’t matter what lies you may have heard from so-called influencers such as Candice, Tucker, Oprah, the Pope, etc. If it doesn’t line up with the Word of God, you are being demonically deceived. RUN into the arms of Jesus Christ, for He has made it perfectly clear, He is the ONLY way, the ONLY truth, and the ONLY way to eternal life, PERIOD!
Jesus also told us:
“Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” – Mk 8:34-37
Furthermore, the Word of God states in 2 John 1:9: “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God.” Emphasis mine.
We Must Examine Ourselves by the Word of God
God’s Word instructs us to examine ourselves. Ask yourself if you are living your life daily according to the Word of God. Are there areas that need to be repented of and seek God’s forgiveness? (see 2 Cor 13:5 and 1 Cor 11:28-30) Furthermore, we are told by the Apostle John in 1 Jn 3:10:
“In this, the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother – Emphasis mine.
Jesus asks: “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? – Lk 6:46
Don’t you want assurance of where your permanent, eternal home will be? You can have that assurance without a doubt if you are a true Follower of Jesus Christ.
However, if you decide not to examine and judge yourself, you are in danger of not being rescued from God’s wrath to come, and you will appear before the Great White Throne Judgment and may hear: “Depart from Me, you cursed, into the eternal fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.” – Matt 25:41
My Prayer
Father, open eyes to see Your Truth, the only truth there is that You have given us in Your Word. Replace hearts of stone with flesh that beats for You. We understand that time is short. The opportunity to repent and follow You is closing for Jesus Christ is at the door and returning soon. Amen.
Maranatha
Until next time, I am passionately loving Jesus, the anchor of my soul!
