By Van Yandell
1 Timothy 4: 1-2 “Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.”
Have you ever wondered what the world would be like if there was no such thing as Christianity? If you haven’t, entertain that question a few seconds and let the fear sweep over you.
Can we imagine a world with no standards of behavior? If there were no values or priorities in the world to be the benchmarks of a civilized society, we would exist like wild animals. That is probably an insult to wild animals in that they are much better behaved than we are. Their actions are based on instinct and human actions are emotionally and intellectually driven. Of course, many are educated beyond their intelligence.
Christianity teaches us many concepts that without Christianity would likely not exist. Christianity literally sets the bar for a basic semblance of a peaceful environment. Christianity stands between us and anarchy.
One of the reasons the world is in such a state of chaos may be because Christianity is declining in influence. Many have been misled into false beliefs of salvation and are Christians in name only. One does not have salvation by being good or being a member of a certain denomination.
The false teachers promoting “feel good” religion are being followed by millions. Their opinions do not count or matter. Only God’s opinion as stated in the Holy Bible is sustained by verifiable evidence. True Christianity is supported by that evidence and opinions are not.
For years I have urged listeners to only follow the teachers of the Holy Bible. All the others: avoid like a plague!
Does extensive evidence verify fact? Perhaps the jury is still out on that one but we must consider the mind of the beholder. Is the analytical mind destined to eternal damnation?
Faith is a credible belief system in that many of our daily activities are based on faith. If you drive a car or fly commercial, think of the faith involved. Every bite we eat is based on the faith that the food is safe. Those are just a beginning. Faith must certainly be a legitimate belief system.
Christianity is based on many of the Old Testament/Tanakh teachings. This is why Christians are sometimes referred to us as Judeo-Christians. The blood sacrifice (Leviticus 17: 11), the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20) and dietary teachings (Deuteronomy 14) are a few examples.
Granted, several of the world’s religions have beliefs in parallel with the Moses law; teachings of the Ten Commandments. Or perhaps their founders came up with similar rules based on human behavior of which many seem to be obvious in a civilized society. Would humans by our nature know to kill another or that to steal is wrong?
The Bible appears to prove itself from within itself. Millions of Christians study the Bible to the point if there was room for skepticism, it would be discovered and published. Apparently, such conflicts and inconsistencies do not exist in the Holy Bible.
To be contradictory of the Bible would of course be “politically incorrect” within the Christian community. Someone, however, would be bold enough to point out those inconsistencies.
Of course those purveyors of a non-existent God could twist and tangle their information to validate their belief. We have seen that method used in several of the world’s propaganda agencies. And, of course, editing interviews to make the person say what is desired by the interviewer is commonplace in today’s media sources.
When one comes to believe in Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, crucified for the remission of sin and resurrected, a part of the born again state is to learn more about Jesus and His teachings. This is done through Bible study.
We find a few Christians departing from the faith as “new non-believers,” but in most cases, Bible study strengthens one’s faith and does not weaken it. The validity of the scriptures is self-evident to those that believe.
Statistics vary concerning those departing the church. One study in 2019 states that 18-29 year olds leaving the church had increased to 64%. That is nearly two-thirds of that age group that grew up in a church environment that decided to leave.
A single focus is essential in the belief Christianity is the only salvation (John 14: 6 and Acts 4: 12). Many in today’s world have grown up with the attitude, “whatever I want to believe is acceptable.” Scripturally speaking, this is simply not true and will not gain eternity for those electing to follow their own notions.
Several of the worlds four-thousand religions are good to live by but not good to die by! Only our Jesus offers us eternity by a faith based belief in Him crucified for the remission of sin and resurrected.
Jesus taught us to love one another and be kind to each other. Matthew 22: 36-39 “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.”
Many have had neighbors or known others that are difficult and mostly impossible to tolerate, let alone, love. I’m sure God knows of the varying personalities and attitudes but asks Christians to display a state of love even when it’s difficult.
A good friend named Ish once said to me when we were having one of our little jabbing discussions, “I love you brother, but it’s just because Jesus said I have to.” Ish was joking (I think) and I got a good laugh but it made a point. Jesus tells us to love one another regardless.
In the twenty-first century there are terms we previously hadn’t heard. Two of those terms are “hate crime,” and “hate speech.” Hate appears to be the new national pastime and is dragging many countries down to a new low. This is partly a result of an absence of Christian teachings. For Christians, the emotion of hate should not exist.
If Christianity was dead there would be no standards of right and wrong or acceptable and unacceptable behavior. The world would be in a state of complete chaos. Christianity is the glue that holds our society together.
In observing the world state, it becomes apparent the societal structure of the world is beginning to unravel and at an exponential rate. This could possibly be one of the signs of the end times. We must concur generations in the past have had the same thought.
2 Timothy 3: 1-5 “Know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.”
It is unsettling to imagine a world without the ultimate rule book (2 Timothy 3: 16), The Holy Bible and the rules and regulations set forth by our Creator are to be treasured. For the church as it exists today, to allow Christianity to become obsolete and the brunt of jokes by comedians is a tragedy.
Must we hit bottom before we realize what is happening? The world, the nation, the church and the family, are all in a state of chaos and confusion. Humanity is confused concerning right and wrong (Isaiah 5: 20). Our only salvation as a world is a return to our Creator. To promote faith and trust in Lord Jesus is to promote the survival of the world. If we do not correct the path we are taking, nothing else will matter.
A more depressing question than “Is Christianity dying?” is “Are Christians allowing this to happen?” We must be alert for opportunities to tell others about Jesus and His sacrificial death for the sins of the world. We all may have family, neighbors and/or co-workers that are without the saving knowledge of the Gospel.
It would be expedient for us to support missions to the fullest. Those responding to the task of being missionaries, both international and domestic have heard God’s calling. Missions are a vital part of the church as mandated by Jesus in His last statement before ascending (Acts 1: 8). Let’s just pay attention and accept a part of the responsibility. If we don’t tell the world about Jesus, no one will.