Recent articles were published in several news outlets on a survey done about the millennia’s of America – 22.8% are not associated with anything religious -James 2:19New King James Version (NKJV) 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble – from USA TODAY:
“Their growth spans the generations, as well as racial and ethnic groups, said Green, a senior fellow in religion and American politics for the Pew Research Center.
‘Nones,’ at 22.8% of the U.S. (up from 16% just eight years ago) run second only to evangelicals (25.4%) and ahead of Catholics (20.8%) in religious market share.”
This fact is not difficult to figure out through the view of God’s Word. James 1:21 (NKJV) 21 “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”
The ‘nones’ do not know that there is a difference between a religion and having a powerful intimate relationship with God through a Holy Ghost salvation experience obeying Acts 2:38. The ‘nones’ are wandering around in a religious wilderness that has no power.
Everyone is born a sinner – Romans 3:23 (NKJV) 23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” I recently heard about an 11 year old boy who said he was a Christian, but did not believe in an absolute moral law. You cannot be Christian and not believe in absolute moral law. God is God and always will be God.
An intimate relationship with God begins with the implantation of God’s Word in our hearts. When we recognize that we need salvation, we hunger for God’s Spirit to indwell our hearts/souls through salvation. After salvation, we must continually feed on the Word of God that will change our sinful behavior from the inside out.
An intimate relationship with God is developed by allowing God’s Word and Spirit to penetrate our souls to change our character to be God-like. He says from Old to New Testament, “Be holy for I AM holy!” We must allow the Fruit of the Spirit to reign in our hearts/souls/minds. Galatians 5: 16 – 25 Walking in the Spirit – 16 “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.”
God says, “Mark 16:16 (KJV) 16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Some will say they believe there is a God, but they do nothing to experience relationship accountability to Him. That is their choice. God’s Word is direct. If one does not believe enough to take action for salvation, they will be damned. A belief there is one God is not enough. The demons believe there is one God and they tremble, but they are not saved. James 2:19 (NKJV) 19 “You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!”
This is a challenge to all believers in God. If we claim to have a relationship with God, we must be God-like. I want those around me to be able to observe my consistent holy (God-like) conduct. I want my intimate relationship with God to be life changing. As Paul said and our goal must be, “Follow me as I follow Christ.”
There is too much hypocrisy around religion. Our public and private life must be congruent. Jesus is returning for a Bride without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Let’s show the ‘nones’ around us that God is real and He is real in our souls!
www.carolclemans.org – I provide nationwide confidential God-based counseling by phone/Skype (636) 448-0121. Also love teaching God’s anointed Word for churches/conferences. Read over 150 articles on website, teaching CD’s, DVD’s, book: GOD’S DESIGN FOR MARRIAGE.