ANSWER: The antipathy of the world towards Christianity should not surprise us, nor should its lack of interest towards the things of God. Jesus Himself said that ''few there be that find ... the way, which leadeth unto life" (Matthew 7:14) and that strong opposition would come to His followers (John 16:1-3).

Throughout Church history, one of the main obstacles to the growth of Christianity has been the lack of adequate transportation and communications methods to bring the Gospel to unreached peoples. In the last century, however, this impediment has been overcome to an unprecedented degree. In fact, the greatest recent growth of the Church has been in areas of the world which were previously untouched by the Gospel message.

Still, a majority of the world's population remains unsaved. Why? One reason is apathy. People are increasingly self-absorbed and involved with the things of the world, the result being that the invisible but still all-knowing and omnipotent God gets pushed aside. The Apostle Paul said that in the last days, one of the characteristics of the human race is that they would be "lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God" (2 Timothy 3:4).

Another main reason for Christianity's slow growth is a lack of understanding about what Christianity really is. The Apostle Paul said: "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God," 1 Corinthians 1 :18.

Most churches, even many claiming to be "Christian," teach that mankind can save himself through his own efforts. But the Bible teaches that man is saved by the grace of God apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9), because "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

Some individuals are on the opposite end of this spectrum, and believe that they are such grievous sinners that God would never forgive them. But to them, we would give the assurance of Jesus' words that "him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).

Others are convinced that if they become Christians, God will automatically take all the fun out of their lives. The presence of a few "baptized in lemon juice" Christians, coupled with the caricatures of Christianity presented in the media, unfortunately contribute to this mindset. But Jesus said:

"The thief cometh not but to steal, and to kill, and to destroy; I am come that they might have

life, and that they might have it more abundantly," John 10:10.

Let us face the fact that what the Devil presents to the world as "fun" is only destined to destroy the individual both physically and spiritually. Most true Christians know that God blesses us with times of refreshing that have healthier outcomes. If we would reach out and share some of these times with unsaved friends and family members, they might obtain a more accurate picture of the stark difference between their lifestyles and our own.

Still, many people in the world stay outside the realm of Christianity because they are unwilling to forsake sin. Although we are not saved by good works, or by the omission of bad ones, God does expect repentance (Luke 13:3). In other words, we have to be willing, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit after we are saved, to yield ourselves to be the kinds of persons that God intends for us to be. Of those that refuse to do so, Jesus said:

"And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil," John 3:19.

This is not an exhaustive list, but it provides some of the reasons why true Christianity is still very much a "minority" belief system. Knowing these obstacles is the first step to prayerfully finding ways to overcome them in the lives of our unsaved acquaintances.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father, who is in heaven," Matthew 5:16.

PRAY: Pray for Christians to share the wonderful Good News of the saving grace of Jesus Christ and for the Gospel message to spread globally.