Neither is America, for that matter. Don’t really care what polls say. When you look at the core beliefs of those who call themselves “Christians”...there is a big majority who doubt or do not ascribe to the authority of God’s Word...who belief in salvation through Christ alone...
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I’m hoping I read that wrong.
Are you saying that Christians who follow what Christ said are not Christians?
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Yes...you read it wrong. :-)
What I am saying is: Calling yourself a "Christian" doesn't mean you are really a "Christian" just like saying "I'm a cop" doesn't make you one. There are plenty of people walking around every day who pretend to be vets (Stolen valor)...and just saying you are a vet doesn't make you one. You can buy a uniform and wear it...you can learn some slang...and you can pin medals on your chest and the majority of people have no idea you are a fake. Even some of us who are vets may not know (until we start talking!). It's like that with people who call themselves Christians. Many people in this country wear that label...but DO NOT follow what Christ said...and DO NOT believe that He is the way, the truth and the life. Once you start talking with them...you can see past the cross they wear...and see past the "I love God" facebook posts.
I use my very liberal in-laws as an example. They "cross themselves" after praying...they occasionally go to the Episcopal church...and have little crosses in their house. If you ask them, they say they are Christians.
They are not. They believe Jesus is a way...not the way...that other ways to God are valid. They are pro-choice...pro-gay-marriage...and anti-Bible (well...they have the parts they like...and the parts they discount).
They are like MANY people who call themselves Christian...but they are not. Being a real "Christian" means you are saved by the blood of Christ and you have the Holy Spirit living within you. It means you follow the words of Christ (not just the words of Christ you like or approve of) and it means you believe everything the Bible teaches...about Jesus...about life...and don't edit it according to your own proclivities.
Authentic Christianity is a NARROW way...not a broad...winding way. Surveys show that most people, even though they have placed the Christian label on their sleeve, ascribe to the broad way (that leads to destruction) and not the narrow way (that leads to life).
A majority of self-identified Christians do not believe in the Bible as God's Word...that it is inspired. A majority do not believe that Satan is real (as the Bible teaches)...but that he is a metaphor. A majority do not believe that even little sins deserve punishment (so they do not understand salvation and the need for the shedding of Blood...and you can't place faith in something you do not understand or deny). Near half don't even think Christ himself was sinless...and over half do not believe the Holy Spirit is a real part of the Godhead.
Add all of that up and you come to the understanding that a majority of self-described Christians are actually cultural Christians...but not "born again" Christians. They are not unlike cultural Muslims who do not follow the entire teaching of Muhammad and the Qur'an (thank God).
I call them CINO's...Christians in name only. And a majority of the people in this country are CINO's...not true believers who embrace God's Word and the Cross.
How that helps.