19For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;20and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law;21to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law;22to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
Some components of effective evangelism are contained in this passage, including the element, as Paul says in verse 19, of servanthood. Our attitude of devoted service to Christ will be reflected in the way we serve others - we build a bridge and allow people to see the authenticity of our faith as we look for ways to minister to other people. There's also an element of identification - Paul was able to knowingly converse with others about their faith status. I think identification also involves being able to relate to other people and perhaps to show empathy with them in their struggles. As they encounter needs, we can point them to Jesus as the answer. As servants of Christ, we are called to be shining examples of the love of God.
In Colossians 4, we're challenged by Paul to live lives that reflect the presence of God, to walk in His wisdom, and be especially sensitive to those who are not walking in the faith:
5Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Late last year, the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released an oft-quoted survey that indicated that one-fifth of the U.S. public, and a third of adults under 30, do not identify with any particular religion. It stated that in the last 5 years, the unaffiliated, also known as the “nones”, have increased from just over 15% to just under 20% of all adults in the U.S. I wrote about this trend in the January edition of River Region's Journey magazine.
I pointed out that before you conclude that these individuals are largely atheist or agnostic, think again – out of some 46 million people that are unaffiliated, more than 13 million, or 6% of the American public, are self-described atheists and agnostics. There are nearly 33 million people, or 14%, who say they have no particular religious affiliation.
Christianity Today and other news sources have now published articles that this so-called "rise of the 'nones'" is regarded by almost half of respondents to a new survey is something perhaps less-than-beneficial for society. This new Pew study indicates that 48 percent of adults consider the decline in religious commitment to be bad for America. Though another 39 percent said it "doesn't make much difference," only 11 percent of people said the decline is good.
Among white evangelical Protestants, more than 3 in 4 (78 percent) say the trend is harmful. Only 4 percent see it as a good thing.
The data do not specify what "bad" entails, but the Pew research reveals that even among the "nones", only about one-fourth say the trend is good, with 19 percent saying that it is bad. 55 percent of the unaffiliated say it does not make much difference in society.
Earlier this year, Gallup reported that the percentage of its survey respondents identifying as religiously unaffiliated rose an average of 1 percent per year between 2008 and 2011. That growth shows that smallest such year-to-year increase over the past 5 years in the Gallup Daily tracking of religion in America.
Gallup editor-in-chief Frank Newport said to CNN that this suggests that "religion may be maintaining itself or even increasing in the years ahead."
So, these unaffiliated people are a sizable group in American life - but there are the indications that even they might not be satisfied with their status. This data can be discouraging, but it can also give us a sense of hope. It shows us that while religious trends are shifting, there is still a significant number of Americans who feel that religion can make a positive impact on society and that if religion is not practiced, it could be detrimental to our culture. It illustrates for me a remaining faith component to American life that has been instilled in individuals and families throughout the ages. Faith in Christ and our outward practice of the inward presence of Jesus in our hearts and lives can be a potent force that can reach and transform others.
The spark is still there - it's important that we fan the flame and cause our fervor for Christ to spread. America is not without hope. There are many that might know that faith is important, but need some direction in how to practice it. They need to see a Christian who is motivated by love and full of the power of the Holy Spirit to activate that spiritual sensitivity and show them, by words and deed, that God loves them and wants them to enter into a relationship with Himself through accepting Jesus as their Savior.
The "nones" are here, and many know that faith can have a positive outcome - we can be motivated to show it!
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