Turning away from the living God ∙
Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. – Hebrews 3:12
2 Peter 3:17 I am warning you ahead of time, dear friends. Be on guard so that you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing.
In the current era, faith in the Biblical God and the tenets of the Bible has been significantly eroded, with many individuals seemingly distancing themselves from religious belief. Yet, a substantial segment of the American population continues to maintain a more or less conventional faith, a point drawn from Pamela Danziger’s work.
Danziger references a Pew Poll conducted in late 2021 involving approximately 6,500 American adults. The findings reveal that the majority of Americans still believe in the Biblical God, Heaven, and Hell and do not attribute human suffering to divine intervention.
Specifically, 58% of Americans identify their God as the one depicted in the Bible. In comparison, another third (32%) believe in some form of god or spiritual force, although not necessarily that of the Bible. All told, 9 out of 10 Americans believe in some higher power working in our world.
In terms of specific beliefs, about 73% of adult Americans believe in heaven, and slightly fewer, 62%, believe in Hell. Interestingly, 80% of Americans attribute worldly suffering to humans’ actions, not God. This is because God gave people free will. A slightly smaller percentage (about 9 out of 10) agree with the statement: “Human beings are free to act in ways that go against the plans of God or a higher power.”
68% of Americans believe that all events occur for a reason, with 56% attributing such reasons to being part of God’s greater plan. Only a minor share (14%) permits worldly suffering to shake their faith in God, and almost half (44%) believe that Satan is largely responsible for the suffering in the world.
When confronted with tragedies, 62% of Americans empathize with those affected, and 40% feel compelled to offer help. This is consistent with the United States’s status as the world’s most charitable nation.
Not only do Americans believe in God, but they also believe God has a plan for their lives. They also believe God is attentive, hears, and cares for them. Some 67% of Americans believe they can get a definite answer to prayer, and 46% believe they have had prayers answered.
Almost all adult Americans (91%) believe a higher power governs uncontrollable aspects of life. This belief extends to the understanding that science or natural causes cannot fully explain our world, a viewpoint aligning with 83% of Americans.
In conclusion, most Americans believe in God, whether it’s the Judeo-Christian God or another higher power. Why is this so? One answer is that the existence of God offers a logical, reasonable explanation for how the universe came to be and why each of us was placed on this earth at this time in history. It is an unshakeable belief that most Americans profess (Pamela Danziger).
REFLECT & PRAY
The Father gave us the Scriptures to facilitate our spiritual growth and maturation. They teach the truth about God, our world, and ourselves, correct us when we’re wrong, and explain how to become ever more effective servants of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Father thank You for giving all children of the King an unshakable foundation, the Word of God.
INSIGHT
The Father is not surprised by any world events. He knows all things before they transpire. In many cases, He provided prophecies to warn us of things to come.
2 Timothy 3:1-5
1 You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days, there will be very difficult times.
2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred.
3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.
4 They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God.
5 They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly.
After the apostle Paul delineates the horrific convulsions that will occur in the last days, he gives clear instructions to Timothy to be ready and prepared. Those instructions are just as valid now as they were nearly 2000 years ago.
2 Timothy 3:10-17
10 But you, Timothy, certainly know what I teach, and how I live, and what my purpose in life is. You know my faith, my patience, my love, and my endurance.
11 You know how much persecution and suffering I have endured. You know all about how I was persecuted in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra – but the Lord rescued me from all of it.
12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
13 But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.
14 But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.
15 You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.
17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
The Father God has provided the foundation of our faith in the Scriptures. It is the firm bedrock upon which we build our lives. Timothy was raised by his Jewish mother and steeped in the rich traditions of the sacred writings of the Jewish people, the Old Testament (2 Timothy 3:15).
In addition, Paul transferred the knowledge of the gospel to Timothy. Over the centuries, the Scriptures have revealed the way to find God. Neglecting the Scriptures is not a wise choice. Due diligence and researching the word of God are crucial in the search for the truth.
Amazing things happen when we expose ourselves to the word of God.
For instance, in Brazil, Antonio from Minas purchased a New Testament, intending to burn it. He attempted to set it alight, but it wouldn’t burn. As he opened the pages to make it burn more readily, it opened at the Sermon on the Mount. His curiosity was piqued, and he started reading. Completely engrossed, he read throughout the night. As dawn broke, he stood up and professed, “I believe” (Barclay).
All Scripture is true and dependable; it is “God-breathed.” It is true, truth.
The Holy Spirit used people to write the word of God (2 Peter 1:20-21). “The Spirit did not erase the natural characteristics of the writers. God, in His providence, prepared the writers for writing the Scriptures. Each writer has their own distinctive style and vocabulary. Each book of the Bible grew out of a special set of circumstances. In His preparation of men, in His guiding of history, and His working through the Spirit, God brought about the miracle of the Scriptures” (Wiersbe).
The Scriptures are profitable. The term profitable is a translation of the Greek word ophelimos. It refers to something with the characteristic of usefulness: profitable, useful, beneficial, helpful, or advantageous. When read, comprehended, and applied, children of the King are equipped to live successfully in a fallen world.
The world is not getting better. It is on a collision course with the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. Children of the King can be better prepared to successfully navigate the troubling times that have only just begun.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 12-12-1
© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 