I have been preaching and teaching the Gospel for 40 years this year. I pray my efforts at doing so, by the grace of God, are better at communicating God’s truth now than when I began preaching, although this has always been my heart’s desire and life’s goal. Early on I remember doing lessons on complacency, on the need for commitment, both in articles and in sermons preached. What was a problem then in the church, it would seem, is more of a problem today.
The Barna group, a religious research institution, has released the results of a survey that reveals a declining level of commitment among “born again Christians” over the past 20 years. While the survey was addressed to “Christianity” in general, and not specifically to New Testament Christianity, I believe the influence of the world in the church would show we are not far off from what they found. Some of their findings include:
- Attendance at Sunday services has declined from 66% to 59%.
- Those who read their Bible during the week, not including when they are attending a church event, have decreased from 71% to 62%.
- Volunteering at church during the week has dropped from 41% to 29%.
- Those who self-identify as Christians are 10% more likely to be “unchurched” than those 20 years ago. Those who fit this category have not attended any church service during the past six months, excluding special events such as weddings or funerals.
Barna concluded the study by saying such a spiritual condition as these statistics show reflects the “pursuit of cheap grace.” We can certainly say the philosophy of many Christian religions that believe one is “saved by grace only through faith only,” and that once saved one is always saved, can definitely contribute to such a lackadaisical attitude towards faith and service. The question is, “Have we subscribed to a similar view in the Lord’s church?”
The problems listed in the survey are concerns many have about a lack of commitment in the body of Christ as well. Do we feel that, no matter how we live, what we do or what we don’t do, that it doesn’t matter to God, that since we’re saved by grace through faith, we can coast into eternity? This certainly conflicts with Paul’s attitude, who understood the grace of God perhaps better than we, having been a “blasphemer, persecutor and insolent opponent” of the faith (1 Timothy 1:13). He wrote of the mercy and grace of God, and of the difference it makes in our lives. Yet, God’s grace at work in him also stirred him in love to serve.
Paul’s typical designation of himself was a servant (lit. slave) of Christ (Romans 1:1; Titus 1:1). “For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). He went on to say, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20). Certainly, Paul didn’t view his relationship with Christ as something earned, but he also realized how faith should work through love (Galatians 5:6). Life could be summarized as Christ (Philippians 1:21), with Christ as what life was all about (Colossians 3:4).
How much has God done for us? He provides everything, simply, completely everything needed for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). How can we be complacent about life in Him? We must not allow Satan to deceive us into thinking we have nothing to offer; we should offer ourselves and look forward to every opportunity to worship and serve God. We should do good to all, especially those in the household of faith with us (Galatians 6:10). We shouldn’t forsake our assembling together (Hebrews 10:25), but rather assemble with the saints at every opportunity we have (Acts 2:46). We should be “rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (Ephesians 6:18). Our relationship with God and Jesus must come first, not somewhere down the list of our priorities and desires. “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
So much of our commitment to the spiritual or lack thereof has more to do with a lack of desire than a lack of time, resource or talent. As Christ loved us enough to die for us, may we love God enough to live for Him. How committed are you to His love for you?
