Hi
Hopeful 2
Right. The believer understands that. The world doesn't. So when the gospel is being spread and we are seeking to gain new believers, those people look at stuff like this and think, well all that christian and Jesus stuff really isn't believed by those who claim to believe... as the world sees it. There are also likely to be many weak christians who would read this, or some other similar idea, and decide that, Oh, it's all a big sham, I'm outta here. All I'm saying is that ideas, such as the one being promoted in this article, are going to cause some, who may be on the fence, then think what christians believe is nonsense and it gives them more reason not to believe.
Here's the rub. Jesus said that not all those who call him Lord, Lord will be saved. He then speaks of the day of his Father's judgment and tells what seems to be described as a fairly large amount of people who lived their lives upon the earth being associated with the believers fellowship, who, for whatever reason, don't make the grade. But we simple folk here on the earth can't make that determination as to whose faith is real and whose isn't among us. So while to you, you may think that you can determine the real from the fakes, but you actually likely can't. But someone who is not a part of us just thinks that everyone who goes to christian worship services or who claims some faith in God, are christians. They don't have the wisdom and understanding that the Scriptures speak of that not all of those among us are actually born again believers.
Christianity is just like Judaism, as far as the 'fact' that not all those aligned with being a christian or being a Jew will be saved. God regularly speaks of only a remnant believe and honor Him. That seems to be a truth that applies to both faith practitioners. Jesus' words were that 'many' will say to him on that day... Now, if you understand the description that he then gives of those who are making this loud hue and cry about their faith, then you must understand that those people he's talking about lived lives proclaiming faith in Jesus while on the earth.
God knows our hearts and our very thoughts. You and I don't have that ability. Here's one scenario that I'm pointing out. It is by no means the only way that faith is undermined by such words as are in this article. Someone reads the article. The next day they meet someone who attempts to share the gospel with them. They immediately think, Oh I read that article yesterday that said most christians don't even believe what this person's selling. No, I'm not interested. Have a good day.
Remember that while Satan isn't as powerful or wise as God, he's a lot more powerful and wiser than we are about 'who' God is. His sole purpose, just as he did with Eve, is to get people to doubt the truth of God. I believe that articles such as this do that.
God bless,
Ted