SECOND-HAND RELIGION

“For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” - Romans 10:2

Why are so many young people dropping out of church? Some would argue that they need more entertainment to keep their attention. Others believe that churches need to have a better transition ministry, helping these young people move into adult-oriented worship. Some even believe that the drop-out rate is inevitable and is a natural occurrence.

I really believe that so many young people only have a second-hand religion. They identify with the religion of parents, grandparents or close friends. They are emotionally impacted by the spiritual transformation they witness around them. Young people are easily influenced by the faith of those they respect the most. Here's the problem: many of these young people never have a personal, life-changing encounter with God themselves. Thus, when they get to an age when they start dating, church is no longer important to them. When they get to college, the influence of parents and grandparents diminishes a great deal and the influence of professors, textbooks and college-life impacts them more. It isn't an issue of losing salvation, it is a revelation that they never had a real salvation to begin with. They were simply going through life hanging on to the spiritual coattails of family. They only had a second-hand religion.

Many adults are in the same boat. A husband experiences a life-changing encounter with Jesus and the wife joins the church with him, even though she has not had the same salvation experience. A person can be swept away with emotion or caught up in a moment of excitement, making a public commitment, but never repenting of sin or trusting in the Savior. They have a second-hand religion.

Churches are hurting across America because of this dilemma. Many have made outward religious professions without a first-hand, life-changing moment with Jesus Christ. So many are deceived and hell-bound who call themselves Christians, yet only have a second-hand religion.

Paul instructed the Corinthians to examine themselves, challenging them to be positive that their faith is genuine. I believe that second-hand faith is the reason for so-called “backsliding,” and apostasy. That is why you find atheists who were once church members and some in the deepest forms of depravity who once were in ministry. They only had a second-hand faith.

It is a concern for parents or Sunday School teachers when they share the Gospel with children. While it is certainly possible for a child to get saved, far too many simply make a profession of faith that is not anchored in Christ, but a second-hand faith.

It is time for us to examine our own faith. Do I have a second-hand faith or have I been truly born again? Does my life manifest God-honoring fruit, or is my life just an outward show of religion? Do I really believe the Bible, or have I simply been brought up to acknowledge the truth of Scripture? These are questions we need to answer ourselves.

The fact is that a second-hand religion is as about as useless as false religion or no religion. Don't settle for counterfeits. A first-hand salvation can only come through a first-hand encounter with Jesus Christ. That kind of salvation bears fruit and perseveres.

Do you have a second-hand religion or the real thing?