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WHY ARE CHRISTIANS GIVING UP THEIR FAITH IN THE USA?
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Matthew 13
18Consider, then, the parable of the sower: 19When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sownd along the path.
20The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.
22The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
23But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.”
18Consider, then, the parable of the sower: 19When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sownd along the path.
20The seed sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.
22The seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
23But the seed sown on good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and produces a crop—a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.”
I don't. They define themselves by their words and their behavior, particularly in times of stress.
Truth01, you say that, "Contrary to what the bible says many christian churches say that works are meaningless and that once you have recieved christ in your life that is it and you dont have to make any further effort to be good and help others to be saved."
I agree with part of that statement and disagree with a part.
I agree that, throughout Jesus' and the Apostle's teachings, in the New Testament, that 'good work's from Christians are emphasized.
I disagree when you say that many Christian Churches say that works are meaningless. In fact I think that all Christian Churches emphasize good works that emanate from faith and love of God and neighbor. In short, all Christian Churches think that good works are important for Christians.
The problem with the concept of 'good works' comes as to whether or not one can work their way to heaven/salvation.
But for sure, faith without works is dead. A Christian, without works, has a dead faith. You can tell a tree by it's fruits.
I have never heard of any Christian Church, anywhere/anytime/anywise, that taught that good Christian works of love, through faith, were not important.
'
I have witnessed to a few. One said that even if he killed someone it wouldn't matter anymore.
Truth, that was an individual's belief, not any teaching from a Christian Church. And you are correct. Many people who believe they are Christian do have a dead faith. Their faith plays no part in their lives. But, I don't/won't judge any individual, I leave that up to Jesus. We'll all stand before Him at our judgement and He'll decide.
I never judged him and still dont. Was just stating what he said. If what you believe is as you say then I believe it is good. To say as well that with respect to the title of this group. It's not that the word of God has lost its relevance or that people feel that they no longer need God that is resulting in christians leaving some churches in numbers and some churches starting to die out. I believe that it's also not true to say that certain church numbers are decreasing because we are in the end time and the world is rejecting God. If this was true then the seventh day adventist church would not be experiencing the relative highly rapid growth in their numbers as is currently the case. There is more to this situation I believe, and it seems that the onus is on Christian's to turn this arround because seemingly it is very possible. There are still multitudes in this world that are unknowingly thirsting to hear of a saviour that left heaven to die for them and redeem them from their sins.
There's NO SUCH THING as a "Christian" with "Dead Faith" (no FAITH at all). Plenty of "religious fools" in churches CALLING themselves "Christians" perhaps, but no actual Christians.
Gen Z is NOT turning away from God: more young adults say they believe in a 'higher power' - spirituality saves a generation wracked by Covid's mental health crisis
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...od-young-adults-say-believe-higher-power.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...od-young-adults-say-believe-higher-power.html
Hello Eli. A 'higher power' - , I don't think that's a saving faith, the Book of James says: You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! (James 2:19). What it means that much of Gen Z are turning from the truth to counterfeits and false gospels. God Bless You
Perhaps it's a sifting in these last of the last days. Those who are born from above will not fall away, there's nothing worthwhile to fall away into. They'll stand firm for the truth until the Lord returns, which isn't far away. As David said:
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked (Psalm 84:10)
Better is one day in your courts
than a thousand elsewhere;
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of the wicked (Psalm 84:10)
This isn’t another pointless Salvation discussion but more encouraging news that young people are searching for God and are not falling into depression or drugs.Hello Eli. A 'higher power' - , I don't think that's a saving faith, the Book of James says: You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! (James 2:19). What it means that much of Gen Z are turning from the truth to counterfeits and false gospels. God Bless You
I hope their journey leads them to Jesus Christ.
Hello Eli. I don't believe a discussion on salvation is pointless. I hope too that young people find salvation in Jesus Christ, many young people are coming to faith, saving themselves from a wicked generation (Acts 2:40). But belief in a 'higher power' is nowhere close to believing the gospel, no more so than the priests of baal were following the true God. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3). God Bless You
All right, you send them to Hell if that’s what gives you peace.Hello Eli. I don't believe a discussion on salvation is pointless. I hope too that young people find salvation in Jesus Christ, many young people are coming to faith, saving themselves from a wicked generation (Acts 2:40). But belief in a 'higher power' is nowhere close to believing the gospel, no more so than the priests of baal were following the true God. Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3). God Bless You
I think all he is saying is that life is found in the Lord Jesus Christ and not just the "unknown God". A higher power may be headed in the right direction, but it doesn't go far enough.
I know what he’s saying because I know how Protestants think.
Your whole interpretation of the Bible revolves around two topics:
1. Salvation
2. And Revelations .
What I’m saying though is: Look at this news where people are naturally searching for God and not falling into despair, suicide or addictions.
That is encouraging and should be seen as such. And it may well be the work of God seeing as how much less difficulty in the past has led to despair, suicide, and addiction.
Biblically it makes sense as well. In times of ease, people tend to forget God; and in times of difficulty, people tend to look for God.
Well, considering two people can't agree on one subject here in a supposed Christian forum, I'm not surprised. People believe they can hate their own brother/sister here and make it to heaven. It's rather disappointing to see Christians, so called, can't even get along with other Christians, let alone the unsaved. What's the point of trying to spread this "gospel" ? No seeds will grow in this environment.