What does it mean to be a believer in the United States?

Author: Joseph

Date: April 22, 2018

According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the data they collected in 2008, just a little more than 75% of the adult population of the United States reported themselves as Christian.[1] If this is true, however, why is the United States a secular utopia rather than a holy population seeking God’s will in all matters of life? Why are our laws permissive of what Scripture strictly forbids? Why do we remove God from conversations, public speech, and our institutions? Most importantly, why is there punishment and retaliation for doing so? The United States, while self-proclaiming Christianity, rejects God and beliefs that align with His Word.

"...why is the United States a secular utopia rather than a holy population...?"

What does it mean to be a believer then, for those that proclaim Christianity? The majority of “Christians” I have personally met outside of churches or Christian groups say that being a believer means simply acknowledging that they believe there is a God and they are Christian. Most of these “Christians” will also be able to quote a Bible verse or two and recite basic doctrinal truths. However, it is not simply a belief that makes a believer, it is a life of loving God with all that you have, loving your neighbor as God loves you, and lastly, rejecting the urge to sin and living holy in every aspect of your life.

The words of Yeshua stand true eternally:

“So then, you will know them by their fruits. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” (Matthew 7:20-21 NASB, emphasis mine).

Sin is not subjective, it is not a preference, it is disobedience to God and His Word. When we see “Christians” actively living a lifestyle of sin, it is obvious that either their faith has been led astray or it was never based in God when it began. A healthy relationship with God loves Him, loves others, and seeks holiness while avoiding sin.

There is a false defense used by many “Christians” that proclaim to be faithful. The defense sounds something like this, “you have no right to judge me” or they misquote the Bible and say, “the bible says not to judge one another.” In context, the Bible states the following:

“Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way you judge, you will be judged… You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-2, 5 NASB, emphasis mine).

The Bible warns against hypocritical judgments and making accusations while we are still ourselves guilty of sin. If we are walking purely and living a life that pleases God, we should have the confidence to gently correct “Christians” and lead them to the truth of the Bible and what it really means to be a believer so that their faith doesn’t continue down the path of self-deception and disappointment.

What it means to be a believer in the United States needs to change since so many have been misled or self-deceived into believing in something other than God’s Truth. Make an effort to first live out your life in a way that loves God, loves your neighbor, and avoids sin while pursuing holiness. Only when we are living in God’s Truth can we proclaim it to others. We will not be perfect in all things, but with God’s help, we can still have authority to gently helping others.

[1] “Self-Described Religious Identification of Adult Population,” United States Census Bureau, 2011, accessed April 22, 2018, https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2011/compendia/statab/131ed/population.html

Scripture quotations taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB). www.lockman.org

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