‘Being Religious’ Is Not Enough

America is a religious nation, one of the most religious nations in the world. That does not mean that citizens of this nation are forced to participate in religious activities. That was true in the “old countries” from which early immigrants came to these shores. It is still true in some places where governments approve church leaders and officers. Not in America.

Religious liberty is a hallmark of this nation. It is embedded in our national history. It is also a part of Baptist history. As a minority people, Baptists knew well that civil authorities had no right to stand between God and those made in the image of God. That place belongs only to Jesus Christ.

According to American political philosophy, no person can be excluded from participation because of his or her religious beliefs. The United States Constitution even specifies that there can be no “religious tests” in determining eligibility to serve the nation.

In America, religious belief and religious participation are matters of choice.  That makes it even more remarkable that America is one of the most religious nations on earth.

Consider the evidence. According to Gallup studies, 95 percent of Americans believe in God. More than 9 out of 10 persons express a religious preference, 91.7 percent.

Almost two-thirds of Americans (65.6 percent) are members of a church or synagogue. More than four out of 10 attend church on a weekly basis (41.1 percent).

Confidence in religion also is high. Gallup found that 61.7 percent of those surveyed believed religion answers the problems people face today. Almost that many — 57.7 percent — declared that religion is very important in their lives.

Confidence in organized religion also was high. Nearly 64 percent gave clergy high ratings for ethical standards, while 59.7 percent expressed confidence in religious organizations.

Confidence in organized religion and confidence in religion to answer life’s questions have varied across the years. But belief in God, identity with a religious group and the importance of religion have been relatively constant during all the years Gallup has studied this topic.

It is good to live in a land where belief in God is a shared value, where church identity is common, where the importance of the church is acknowledged. We are blessed in America to be a religious nation. The popularity of religion in America sometimes causes people to conclude that “being religious” is enough. “The important thing is that one believes in God,” some say. Others contend “that all religions will get you to heaven.”

According to the way Baptists have understood the Bible across the years, nothing could be further from the truth. Baptists understand the Bible to teach that Jesus is the instrument of God’s salvation.

Baptists have sometimes disagreed over the various theories of how God provides salvation through Jesus (atonement) but, as one, we have echoed the words of Jesus when He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but through me” (John 14:6).

“Being religious” will not make one right with God nor will it get one to heaven. Only Jesus can do that. Baptists understand the Bible to teach that one must personally ask forgiveness of one’s sin through faith in Jesus and ask Jesus to be Lord of one’s life. That is the beginning point of a lifelong journey with God.

Belief in God is good, but it is not enough. Baptists understand the question of the Bible is, “Have you asked Jesus to be your personal Savior and Lord?” It must never be forgotten that outside of faith in Christ, one is lost no matter how “religious” that individual might be.

Sharing the message of salvation through Jesus alone is today’s challenge. It is called evangelism. It is at the core of being a Christian. Ninety-five percent of Americans already believe in God. Now they must be given the opportunity to make another choice, a choice captured by the words of a song penned by Albert Benjamin Simpson in 1905: “What will you do with Jesus?”

We must remember that simply “being religious” is not enough. We must remember that we have the privilege and responsibility to tell people about Jesus.