Losing, But to Whom?

I just read a very sobering article about the growth of various religions in the U.S. from 2000 to 2010.  You can read it here:

The Fastest Growing Religion in America Is...

After reading this article, there are several reactions a disciple of Jesus might have:

1. Competitive disappointment.  "Our group is losing!"  "Their group is winning!"  As natural as this reaction is, it is completely out of place and improper for God's holy people.  We aren't in competition with other religions for numerical dominance.  The truth is, we're not hoping to outdo any groups; we're working to see all people transformed and rescued through the power of the gospel.  If all other religious groups were growing at a slower rate than orthodox Christian groups, would we have cause to celebrate?  Not necessarily.  We should be less concerned with how fast other religious groups are growing and more concerned with how fast the gospel's influence is spreading.  If Christianity were only growing at a 1.7%  (as in the "Evangelical Protestant" case), but Islam were declining at a 1% rate, would that be a victory for us?  No!  No matter what labels people wear, if they're not coming to embrace Jesus through the gospel, they're still cut off from true life with God now and forever.
     We're not ultimately competing with other religious groups; we're waging war against every message that deceives and distracts people from the liberating and life-giving gospel of Jesus - religious or otherwise.  As other groups lose members, it does not necessarily follow that the Kingdom of God is gaining citizens.  Ultimately, there are only two categories to be concerned about: those embracing the gospel of Jesus and those rejecting it.

2.  Discouragement or hopelessness.  I very much wrestle with this reaction.  To think that so many of those who are already born don't understand or don't embrace the gospel is bad enough, but throw in the idea that more people are being born every day and the task seems overwhelming!  How can the churches of Jesus hope to lead to so many to an understanding of the truth that can save them?
I don't even need statistics to face this feeling.  I just look around me as I drive or walk around my neighborhood, city, or local grocery store, and I am struck by the immensity of the work.  "Master," I often pray, "how can we do this?" 
     There is no simple answer that I've received, but the Master does speak words of hope over me as I read this:

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.  When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.  Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”  (Matthew 9:35-38)

 Jesus faced the immensity of His own task with patience and confidence.  He had a great urgency to His work, an amazing diligence, but not discouragement or hopelessness.  As I strive to become like my Master, I must constantly meditate on His ways. 

3. Urgent motivation.  This seems to me to be the most appropriate response to information such as this article provides.  Moving passed the numbers and realizing that they represent real people with eternal value who must face some kind of eternity, I am compelled to consider what more I and my church family can do to change the momentum.  I am compelled to pray more earnestly, to think more missionally, to speak more openly and to walk more righteously. 
    How are these religious groups growing?  By birthrate, of course.  This is a considerable factor.  Yet, there has to be more to it than that.  Someone will convince others that his/her claim to truth is correct.  Will it be those who know the Way, the Truth and the Life, or will it be those who know a deadly perversion of the truth?  This isn't a matter of "us vs. them", but of life and death, light and darkness, eternal joy and eternal misery.
     I am reminded as I read this article that our Master intends for us to make disciples of all people groups (Matthew 28:19) and to open people's eyes,"turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in [Jesus]" (Acts 26:18).

     So then, whatever denominational label you wear as a follower of Jesus, if you love God and those created in His image, join me in prayerfully and earnestly seeking the Lord of the Harvest so that we and others He will send can take our charge seriously and advance the kingdom of God!