Statistics

Judges 21:25

I’m not a real big fan of statistics.  That probably sounds surprising coming from a math teacher, but statistics are too easily manipulated.  For example, let’s say God used you to lead one person to Him last year.  Now, this year, let’s say you have already led three people to Him.  You could say “I led two more people than last year to the Lord.”  Or, you could say “I had a 200 percent increase in the number of people I led to the Lord in one year!”  Even though they mean exactly the same thing, you have to admit, the second one sounds awesome.

Now, because of statistical manipulation, I am wary of statistics when I see them.  Plus, when people take part in a poll, they can say anything.  But I saw some statistics that kind of blew my mind.  Dr. Thom Rainer wrote a book called “The Bridger Generation.”  He was studying the effectiveness of how the most recent generations are passing on the Gospel to the next generation.  Here were his findings.

Age 65 and older:  65% have trusted Christ alone for their salvation

Age 45 to 64:  It drops to 35%

Age 35 to 44:  It drops to 15%

Age 16 to 34:  It drops all the way to 4%

If these statistics are anywhere NEAR accurate, this means that there is an entire generation that does not know God.  Find the very last verse in the book of Judges and look at what it says.  We have a generation that simply does not know God as their King, and “does what is right in their own eyes.”  What is worse, it means that those who do know Christ are simply not passing it down to the next generation.  This has got to change…like now. 

One of my really good friends just preached a sermon called “stand up.”  If you have time, go to www.goldencornerchurch.org and click on “recent sermons” and listen to Tim McCall’s message.  He talks about how we are too “chicken” to read our Bibles in front of other people.  When people ask us what we’ve been up to, we say lame stuff like “workin’” or “school,”  or just some other stupid simple answer that has absolutely zero eternal value.  We who know God have to start stepping out on faith and pointing others toward Him. We must not remain in the closet.  I would even go as far as to say that a “closet Christian” is NOT a Christian.  Today, ask God who He wants you to tell, and then come up with a plan of action.  The statistics won’t change unless you and I do something about it.

I will leave you with this thought:  You can’t trust God for your salvation, and then turn around and not trust Him with your life.  In other words, if you only prayed to receive Him because you didn’t want to go to Hell, then that is great…for YOU!  If He really has your heart, then you learn to deny yourself and follow Him.  Your primary purpose is to SHOW others through your life that there is a new and awesome life in His Son, Jesus Christ.

Go, and make disciples. (Matthew 28:19)

Later

Adam