No Doubt About It

Christianity could become a minority religion in the U.S. by 2070 if Americans continue to leave the faith at the current rate, according to new projections by the Pew Research Center.
The projections used surveys and other data to figure out what religion in America would look like in the next 50 years.

Pew estimates that nearly a third of people raised in the Christian faith currently leave the religion before turning 30 years old, and another seven percent do so after that age. If those rates continue, the group projects that 46% of Americans would identify as Christian by 2070 and those with no religious affiliation would stand at about 41%. That would mean Christianity would no longer be the majority religion in the U.S., according to Pew.

In the early 1990s, about 90% of Americans identified as Christians. By 2020, Pew estimated that about 64% of Americans were Christian; 30% had no religious affiliation (“nones”); and 6% were Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, or part of another religion. If the latest projections become reality, the U.S. would fall more in line with other Western European countries, where Christianity has already lost its majority.

I believe much of the doubt, particularly about God, Jesus, and Christianity that we are witnessing today is actually part of a long-term sinister plan orchestrated by Satan that began in the garden when he created doubt in Adam and Eve’s heart by questioning God and His Word—“Has God said?” This tactic of creating doubt in the heart of God’s creation has continued from age to age, culture to culture, and generation to generation. The Pew Research statistics only further validate it.

Why is Satan the “king of doubt?” I believe it is because he knows that an uncertain heart undermines faith, convictions, and commitment to God. Now let me make clear that it is not unusual for Christians to face some kind of doubt in the course of their faith, consider Thomas following the resurrection of Christ who is to this day known as “doubting” Thomas.

While most isn’t, some doubt can be sinful, as was the case when the Israelites doubted the Word of God related to their journey to the promise land—“Both we and our fathers have sinned; we have committed iniquity; we have done wickedness. Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.” (Psalm 106:6–7)

But perhaps the bigger problem with doubt is that it can prevent us from experiencing the power of God. When Jesus returned to His hometown of Nazareth the scripture says in Matthew 13:58…“And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.” In other words, their doubt kept Jesus (“he did not do”) from doing mighty works of God for them. Given this, we can understand just why the devil has used doubt as a strategic weapon in the life of believers.

So, in a world full of doubt, and facing an enemy who brokers in doubt, let me leave you with a few certainties that you can build your life upon. First, Jesus has conquered the grave and because it’s so, you can have victory over it as well. Second, God loves you and is full of forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Third, this world is passing away, but the Kingdom of God will not! Fourth, greater is He that is in you than he that is in this world. Fifth, in this world you have tribulation, but be of good cheer. Christ has overcome the world. And sixth, God’s Word is full of promises that counter doubts, so fill your mind and heart with its truth and use it as a sword against the lies of the devil. There’s no doubt about it, God’s certainties are the key to experiencing victory over your doubts.
And remember, God is always trying to take us someplace new. I love being your Pastor!

For God’s Glory Alone,
Pastor Ray