The “nones” now are the largest religious group in the United States. They surpassed the Roman Catholics and Evangelical Protestants. Many young adults have “deconstructed” their faith in recent years. Why are they leaving the faith of their childhood? For that matter, why don’t unbelievers believe in Christ?
In the first century some wanted to make it more difficult for Gentiles to come to faith. They insisted upon Judaism as the only bridge to Christianity. James said a mouthful when he decided, “we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.”
What if we all made that our resolution today: we don’t want to make it harder for others to believe in Jesus. Brennan Manning offered his theory: “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
When we extend the same grace we have received to others, we make it easier for them to come to Christ. Let’s so live our Christianity that we give others a reason to believe. Or as Peter put it, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for your hope” (1 Peter 3:15). Is anyone asking?
