Is Christianity Growing or Shrinking?

General Faith
1

Like me, you’ve probably heard that Christianity is declining in the West and people are becoming less religious. That may be true, but what is encouraging is that in many other countries and areas of the world, the Gospel is taking root and spreading.

I find this especially interesting because many of the countries where Christianity is growing are countries where religious freedom is restricted and Christianity is not viewed favorably by the authorities or, in some cases, it is even outright forbidden and Christians are persecuted. I think so often it is our complacency and comfort here in the West that is the greatest threat to our faith.

What do you think? What encourages you about the spread of Christianity in other places outside the West? What challenges you about its decline in the U.S. and the rest of the Western world?

Some more food for thought:

How Many Christians Are There in the World?

2

The growth of the early church was because of the persecution they faced. As the Christians were forced to flee, they took the gospel with them. In the 7 letters to 7 churches, the church of Smyrna represents the early church during her time of intense persecution. The word Smyrna is a form of the word myrrh which is an embalming spice. It releases it’s aroma when crushed. That’s what happens. The persecution going on in parts of the world is meant to crush the faith and that’s when the Christian faith releases it’s aroma and attracts others.

Here in the west, we have other things to place our faith in and so we do. Those who only have Jesus know that Jesus is all they need. In order for faith to grow, it needs to be tested. You have to walk it out and see that the Lord is faithful. I’m not surprised to see what’s happening to Christianity in the west and I’m not surprised by her growth in places where its not accepted. That’s how its always been since the beginning.

3

Humanity, and Christianity, are growing up. By this, I mean Faith and Understanding are maturing. And what God planted long ago is about to bloom. And with that, a time of great change is about to occur.

This is alluded to in Scripture in a few different places.

Chapter 13 of Mathew for instance alludes to the weeds sown in with the wheat, right after the wheat was sown. and it is said the angels will come to remove those things that cause people to sin as well as evil doers. I believe that the things that cause people to sin are the false doctrines given by priests, preachers, cult leaders and false prophets who did not serve God as well as those organizations who lead people away from God’s Will through those doctrines. But this occurs in the time of the Harvest, when all things are sorted out.

God allowed the whole thing to grow together to be sorted out at the end. We also read about the pearl worth everything and the treasure that is found and rehidden. There are those in the Church who are true to God, and those who are not. Those who were Faithful will be rewarded for their Stewardship.

And it also says,

‘[f]You will keep on hearing, [g]but will not understand;
[h]You will keep on seeing, but will not perceive;
**15 **For the heart of this people has become dull,
With their ears they scarcely hear,
And they have closed their eyes,
Otherwise they would see with their eyes,
Hear with their ears,
And understand with their heart and return,
And I would heal them.’

And

“I will open My mouth in parables;
I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”

This refers to the Religious Hypocrites, the Self Righteous, who judge based on mere appearances, who throw people out of the House of God and block the Way, who themselves are not saved but think they are. In that day, they will be humbled in the Presence of the Lord.

And there is a Scripture where Paul says later in 1Corrinthians 13:12

For now we see in a mirror, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know fully even as also I was fully known.

The Truth Will Be Revealed and Known by All.

The Church will undergo a great Trial of some sort that reveals and separates the Truth from the lies. The Angels of the Lord will come to test and winnow and sort the whole thing out. Because that which is truly built on the rock will stand while that which stands on the sand will fall. For as Jeremiah 23:11 says, both the prophet and the priest is profane- I have found their wickedness in My House.

Christ also speaks of women not being given into marriage, like the angels. A time of great change is coming. But this is not news. It is in Scripture.

And while many people speak of great destruction and God’s Wrath, God says in Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

A winnowing will reveal what ideas served the Lord and what did not.