In July 2005, a dear sister in the Lord went to the streets, just four blocks from the White House and within a stone’s throw of several churches, with a television camera and a microphone. Her objective: ask random people a very simple question, who is Jesus Christ? One man, a Muslim, said Jesus Christ was “The Big Cheese.” A woman said that Jesus was supposed to be the savior of the world, but that she didn’t see how a man could take on that title. Still another said that Jesus was a nice man who did a lot of good. Another Muslim said that he was not Christian, so he could not define Jesus for someone else.
The answers were quite amazing, but you won’t believe who was giving them. Of the 20 people interviewed, only two people answered the question correctly by saying, “Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins and those who believe in Him will have everlasting life.” There were four-three Muslims and a Jewish man, who knew that Christians believed Jesus to be the Messiah, the Son of God who saved the world. While they believed that Jesus was a prophet and a good man, they did not believe he was the Son of God. Now these might be answers one would expect in a diverse, metropolitan setting, but the most shocking answers came from those who grew up in the Church, born of Christian parents.
Of the 20 interviewed, 16 had been raised in Christian households. Remember that only two knew the correct answer. The other 14 were truly not sure of the identity of Jesus Christ. The answers had a common thread. They said they had been brought up going to church every week. And when they were young, they believed in the deity of Jesus Christ. But as they got older, they came to realize that they had control of their own lives and that Jesus was a figurehead of what is good and right, but had no real meaning beyond that. Many were seeking spirituality, but had turned from Christianity and were studying Buddha, self-realization, new age religions and other things. Keep in mind these people were raised in church-going families. Most ranged in age between 25 and 35.
Since then scientific polls conducted by Pew Research and Barna collaborate this small test outside the White House in 2005. Our nation has drifted far from spiritual truth and the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and has fallen into the pit of idolatry, abortion, homosexuality, rebellion, and the denial of God. Somewhere along the line there was a major disconnect and it seems the church played a significant role-maybe too many programs and not enough truth. The same holds true for American families-busy about the world’s work, neglecting the spiritual needs. This trend continues today as non-Chrsitian religions are growing fast. Jesus said in John 8:32,” And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free.” If we do not know the truth of Jesus Christ, we are in bondage to this world. No Jesus, no freedom. Know Jesus, know freedom.
