According to a recent article that appeared on FoxNews.com, “A new, 2018 Pew Research Center Report polled a growing group in America: ‘religious nones.’” The article stated, “the vast majority are ex-Christians, and most are under the age of thirty-five.” The study identified some peripheral reasons that led to the abandonment of faith such as:
The common denominator in all the reasons given is unbelief. As one “religious none” put it, “I just realized somewhere along the line that I didn’t really believe it.” The majority admittedly walked away from their Christian faith because they no longer believed it was true. Paul saw this day when he wrote, “They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:4 NIV).
As we watch this modern-day apostasy unfold, there is a question I would like to present to the “religious nones.” I didn’t come up with this question. Peter did. John 6 tells about a large group of people who also walked away from Jesus. Watching them go, Jesus turned to His disciples and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” That’s when Peter presented the question, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
A test of value for any given thing is whether or not a substitute can be found to take its place. If something else will work just as well, then its value is limited. But if no substitute can be found, then it is of the highest value. This is the principle behind Jesus’ question in Matthew 16:26, “What can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” In all the world there is nothing to take the place of your soul. Likewise, in all the world there is nothing to take the place of Jesus!
In turning away from something you better make sure you are turning to something of equal or greater value. But that is an impossible thing to do when a person turns away from Jesus.
The “religious nones” are turning away from Jesus in droves. But what are they turning to in place of Him? To turn from Jesus is to turn from truth to deception, from light to darkness, from hope to utter despair.
In turning from Jesus these are unknowingly turning from the “lover of their soul” to a menacing evil that is hell-bent on stealing, killing, and destroying their eternal soul. Such foolishness reminds me of the line from Arabian Nights, “Sure madness hath gotten a hold of the man.”
I understand that life can be hard, and faith can be put to the test. We can be inundated with questions that seem to have no immediate answers. But in that dark, midnight hour when you are tempted to throw in the towel and walk away from your faith, remember Peter’s question, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” Think it through. “To whom shall we go?”
Do not turn from Jesus. Turn to Him. Run to Him, and never let go! “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2).
Pastor Todd Weston
- “Learning about evolution when I went away to college”
- “Lack of any sort of scientific or specific evidence of a creator”
- “Rational thought makes religion go out the window”
The common denominator in all the reasons given is unbelief. As one “religious none” put it, “I just realized somewhere along the line that I didn’t really believe it.” The majority admittedly walked away from their Christian faith because they no longer believed it was true. Paul saw this day when he wrote, “They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:4 NIV).
As we watch this modern-day apostasy unfold, there is a question I would like to present to the “religious nones.” I didn’t come up with this question. Peter did. John 6 tells about a large group of people who also walked away from Jesus. Watching them go, Jesus turned to His disciples and asked, “Are you also going to leave?” That’s when Peter presented the question, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).
A test of value for any given thing is whether or not a substitute can be found to take its place. If something else will work just as well, then its value is limited. But if no substitute can be found, then it is of the highest value. This is the principle behind Jesus’ question in Matthew 16:26, “What can anyone give in exchange for their soul?” In all the world there is nothing to take the place of your soul. Likewise, in all the world there is nothing to take the place of Jesus!
In turning away from something you better make sure you are turning to something of equal or greater value. But that is an impossible thing to do when a person turns away from Jesus.
- Where can you find a better friend than Jesus?
- Where can you find a better teacher than Jesus?
- Where can you find another Savior for your soul?
- Where can you find another who has conquered death?
The “religious nones” are turning away from Jesus in droves. But what are they turning to in place of Him? To turn from Jesus is to turn from truth to deception, from light to darkness, from hope to utter despair.
In turning from Jesus these are unknowingly turning from the “lover of their soul” to a menacing evil that is hell-bent on stealing, killing, and destroying their eternal soul. Such foolishness reminds me of the line from Arabian Nights, “Sure madness hath gotten a hold of the man.”
I understand that life can be hard, and faith can be put to the test. We can be inundated with questions that seem to have no immediate answers. But in that dark, midnight hour when you are tempted to throw in the towel and walk away from your faith, remember Peter’s question, “Lord, to whom shall we go?” Think it through. “To whom shall we go?”
Do not turn from Jesus. Turn to Him. Run to Him, and never let go! “When my heart is overwhelmed, lead me to the rock that is higher than I” (Psalm 61:2).
Pastor Todd Weston