By Rev. James E. Crigger

   I am extremely distressed by what seems to be an increase in the number of people who have stopped believing in Jesus Christ.  Even some Christians do not believe that Jesus is the only way to receive Salvation (common poles point to only 1/3 who believe).  Many Christians don’t believe that the Bible is the “WORD OF GOD” (around 13% believe the Bible is the Word of God”).

   If that doesn’t alarm you, ask your children if they believe in Santa and then ask them if they believe in Jesus.  There may be many reasons some have stopped believing.  I have my own theory.

   Let’s start with Santa Claus.  There are even young children who don’t believe in Santa.  Think about this: you’re young and poor.  You’re told to ask Santa for presents.  You ask, your parents can’t afford it, so you don’t get it.  After awhile, you stop asking.

   The progression is that you begin to believe that Santa is just a lie.  You talk with older friends and they agree, there is no Santa.  Your parents are Santa.

   We all know that Santa is not real but we also know that the spirit of giving is what Santa is all about.
Let’s move on to the important part.  Many have stopped believing in God and Jesus.  Why?!  We are told that through prayer we ask God for healing, prosperity, health and so on.  These are un-selfish things.  Many have begun to include selfish things: new cars; prosperity; etc.
    But think of those who pray for heat during the winter.  Homeless families who pray for a warm place to stay and food to eat.  Many, perhaps most of those prayers are not answered.  Children who pray for food, or to be treated better, or to feel loved.  They pray and sometimes, no answer.  Is it hard to understand that when people tell them to pray and their prayers will be answered, but their prayers aren’t answered, they might lose some faith.

   Many times, the prayers should have been answered by those of us who call ourselves Christian (Christ-like).  Do we help or do we pass it off and say, they should help themselves, or their lazy.  Let me tell you, when you get down past a certain point, you cannot get back up without help.  That help should come from the church (remember: WE ARE THE CHURCH).

   So why do Christians stop believing.  Well, you have heard the saying: “Christians kill their wounded”.  Sometimes, this seems to be true.  When a brother or sister falls, do we lift them up or spread the word how far they have fallen.

   As I said before, these actions disturb me greatly.  When a Christian shows the world that they are no different from the World.  When a Christian tells others to love God and then they don’t love others.  When a Christian seems to portray Christ on Sunday and then goes to a ball game or a store and shows anger, hate and hypocracy.  Are we examples?  Are we Christ-Like?  I think not.

   Their needs to be a revival.  A revival is not meant to bring sinners to the church.  A revival is and should be meant to lift-up, train and prepare the Christian to witness to the world, to fulfill “The Great Commission”, to go into ALL the world.  Not to try and bring the world to their church.  That isn’t going to happen.  You’re preaching to the choir.

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