More than Just a Number

"You believe there is one God. Good! But the demons believe, too! And they shake with fear. ”
- James 2:19

If you walked down the street in any metropolitan city today and asked the very basic question:
"Do you believe in God?"
What percent of the people would respond with an answer of Yes?

Would you expect 80%, what about 75%, or 50%?
In 2020 statistics from Barna Research in a global study indicated that 32% of all those surveyed indicated they did not believe in God. This means that 68% would answer yes to the above question. Is this higher than you thought?  This is down from 80% in 2009 with the increase in personal devices, social media, and institutional influences on the youth and young adults.

With the majority of people believing in God (albeit their version of God), why does the moral fabric of our world continue to spiral downward? James summarizes it very clearly in his scriptures - even the demons believe, and even they shudder in fear of the Lord. It comes down to what those of us who believe are doing with the faith we have in God. How do people realize that you are a believer? Do your actions represent your beliefs? There are those who believe in God, yet have no fear or concern of the consequences of their actions.  There are those who say they believe in God but have no fruit in their actions; there is no evidence.  

The decline of our moral fabric and unrighteousness we see continues to propagate throughout the world, despite such a large percentage of individuals who recognize there is a God. Consider that Satan believes in God, yet continues to fill the minds of individuals on this earth with the notion that God isn't the One in control - we are. He fills our mind with selfishness, pride, arrogance, lust, and addictions (to money, power, food, sex, drugs, alcohol, work, . . . ). His intent is to create uncertainty in the eyes of God's children, and an independence away from God.  He knows all too well that he can defeat you and me when we stand by ourselves. Yet, when we are in the Word and living with and for God, his task is unsuccessful.

Verse 20, states "..faith without works is useless." If there are 68% that believe in God, how does the truth of God come through? Your actions, when led by the spirit, will represent to the world who God is. This is what differentiates your faith from others. We must live by faith, a faith rooted in Jesus Christ through listening and following His examples and teachings. Then share that with the world through our daily walk, actions, and love.  Do not become part of the next statistical analysis.  Stay strong in your walk with Christ, and help others come to understand His love, peace, and grace as well.