1Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” This verse is addressed to every Christian, not just preachers. All of us need to always be ready to answer someone’s questions about our faith. However, in order to do this, we must study. We must spend time in God’s Word. 2Ti 2:15 “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” It will take effort and time, but anything worth having always does. I’m not saying we all have to become Greek & Hebrew scholars and have theology degrees. I’m only saying that we need to know why we are Christians, and be able to communicate that to others.

Mar 1:21-22 says, “And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day He entered into the synagogue, and taught; and they were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.” Our primary example in the Christian life is Jesus Christ Himself. Notice that the people could tell the difference in the way Jesus taught. He spoke with authority. He spoke like He actually believed in and understood the message He was communicating. The Scribes just read. Jesus taught with authority. This is the way we are to speak. Many Christians do not speak boldly because they don’t even know what they believe. You cannot effectively communicate what you don’t even believe.

Today’s ignorance of the Bible among Christians - and their lack of communicating their faith - has lead us into this downward spiral we are in as a society. When Christians have no impact on their society, what’s left but for godlessness to prevail? The Barna Group, a reputable polling organization, recently gave the grim statistic that less than one half of one percent of adults in the U.S. between the ages of 18-23 have a Biblical world view. No wonder we’re in the shape we’re in! More research shows that only 9% of ALL adults in the U.S. have a Biblical world view!

Now Barna defines a Biblical world view as: 1. Absolute moral truth exists. 2. The Bible is completely accurate in all the principles it teaches. 3. Satan is a real being or force - not just symbolic. 4. A person cannot earn their way into heaven by good works. 5. Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth. 6. God is the all-powerful, all-knowing creator of the world, Who still rules the universe today. This is a very basic and simple definition of a Biblical world view - yet less than 10% of adults believe it. This is what is even more frightening: almost 80% of adults in the U.S. consider themselves to be a Christian. There is a MAJOR breakdown somewhere. There is a huge block of our population that think they are Christians - and they are not. If you call yourself a Christian and don’t believe the six simple definitions above - you might want to make your “calling and election sure” (2Pt 1:10), because it’s likely you’re not saved.

Why does less than one percent of 18-23 year olds have a Biblical world view? Because often times their so-called Christian parents don’t have one, either. So they aren’t taught the things of God or faith in God’s Word. And since their parents claim to be Christians, but live and act just like the world - they assume Christianity is just a title, and not a way of life. And so they grow up the same way - being a professor - and not a possessor - of Jesus Christ.

Unsaved pastors don’t help matters any. After all, when the so-called “Man of God” says that we all serve the same God, and we’re all going to heaven on different paths - what is the Biblically ignorant Christian going to do? They’re going to swallow the lie - hook, line, and sinker. If you don’t know the truth, then you can never identify a lie. If your pastor says there are many ways to heaven, show him John 14:6, and then flee that place.

The Bible - Holy Scripture - is to be our source of instruction, correction, reproof, and instruction. It is what we are to live by. It is what we are to stand for. It is what we are to unashamedly communicate. “But what if someone calls me a narrow-minded, hateful, dark -ages bigot - who is the cause of all the problems in our nation?” Then rejoice! It means you’re in good company (Isa 5:20, Mt 5:11-12, Act 5:40-41). It’s going to cost you something to stand for what’s right - it always has. The Bible has always spoken of the “Remnant”, the “Little Flock”, the “Few”, the “Faithful Brethren”, the “Narrow Path”. If you want to stand for righteousness, you are going to be in the minority. Just get that through your head, accept it, and go forward with Jesus Christ. I have much more to share, so, Lord willing, we will continue this next week. Until next time, rejoice - IN THE LORD!