Garry Bridge, Pitlochry.
Photography courtesy of Ben & Donna Bremner, https://www.facebook.com/ben.donna.grand.day.out

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’

Matthew 7:21-23 (NASB)

Recent statistics released from the 2021 UK Census have hit the news, shedding light on the status of the UK as a Christian country. It seems to have shocked some that our country is losing its grip on our Christian heritage, but it comes as no surprise to me or many other believers. The figures show that in England & Wales the number of people claiming to be Christian has reduced to 46.2%, from 59.3% in the 2011 Census. These figures are based upon what people claim on a tickbox, and is often founded in family heritage rather than individual faith in Christ. Indeed many of these claiming Christianity have ties to churches that do not practice Biblical Christianity, although some individuals or churches in those institutions may have real Biblical faith. If you weigh the 46.2% claiming Christianity against the estimate that church attendance is at only 5% nationally, you can see that the statistics don’t tell the whole truth.

“Because statistics on religious beliefs like these fail to distinguish between creed and culture, they are unable to discriminate between those who wholeheartedly practice a faith and those who merely belong to it by birth.” Rev. Canon J.John

In the above news the real problem is a matter of total faith in the whole Word of God rather than in tradition, family history, or societial change. I know from personal experience that how deceptive it can be to believe you are a Christian based upon what other family members have done; I thought I was a Christian based upon my parents and grandparents beliefs. How wrong I was! My ticket to Heaven was a forgery, based upon the lie of traditions, and would see me turned away from the gates. We live in a world which is increasingly turning away from the righteousness of God’s Word, even to the point of changing it to suit the wickedness of this world. Sadly the biggest churches of our nation are complicit in this and leading many astray, and they and those who follow them are far from God. Thus if you were to ask the 42% who claim Christianity if they believed in the Word of God as complete truth without error, I am certain that number would be in single digits.

Dear Reader, I do hope and pray that you personally know and love Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. I also hope and pray that you are in a living relationship with God each day, reading and applying His whole inerrant Holy Bible to your life. The relationship I mention can not be earned or inherited, it is a gift from God through Jesus His Son…you just need to surrender your life to Him and receive it. It is only then you can live a true Christian life filled with His love and hope, and be the holder of a real ticket for Heaven.

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20 thoughts on “The Real Ticket!”

  2. Indeed, brother. God has no grand children. We each must trust in Christ ourselves.
    I don’t doubt that church attendance and people living as true believers is waning in the western world. However, the mainstream news media wants to play this up as much as possible. Only God knows the true number of His real servants. Remember he told Elijah there were still 7000 in Israel who had not bowed to the pagan god Baal? Elijah had just told God that he was the only true believer left. A thought provoking post, as always, brother. Blessings!

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  4. The Good News isn’t dependent on people attending church, thankfully.

    People always say they want a revival. I’d love to see one, but revivals aren’t just more people attending church buildings, because revivals change lives, regions, peoples…

    Somehow I didn’t find this sobering, or unnerving. But I did find J John’s summary spot on – we need to look different from the world because people don’t want to come to church and find the same stuff they find everywhere else.

    Andy B

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  6. Dear Brother. Thank you for your post. This is world wide and indicative of the remnant Holy Bride (Believers who will meet with Jesus in the air. 1 Thess 4:16/17.)
    I never understood the term remnant but Jesus also said “Will I find much faith on the earth when I return?
    We who are His, following only Him and living according to the Word must Stand unflinchingly with HIM, passionately unwavering. Telling others only in HIM is DIVINE LOVE for all humanity ,
    I believe now in late 22 I know why I had to write and finish the story of my life journey to KNOW and find for myself ONLY HIM and relationship.
    Shafts of Gold, I have not sold – (only given away) any of my books, I believe I am to flood the world with the story of one very ordinary life but the extraordinary and wonderful GOD of the BIBLE this child discovered. Beyond and outside, far above all structures and institutions – Part of the very air we breathe. Keep posting dear one. It is important in our day. HE IS LORD! (If you would like a copy of Shafts and give me an address I will happily post one to you. Maybe in time for Christmas.

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    1. Good morning Faye, I hope in our Lord and pray that you are well, being blessed anew each day. The faithful in Israel at present are but a small remnant, as was often the case in their past history – so often many were tempted away by the iniquity of their neighbours. This is the very case of the church in this world in the 21st Century; only a small remnant are faithful to Him – we pray that we may pluck others from the fires of Hell before our Lord returns soon.
      I am so happy that you have been able to complete “Shafts of Gold” to His glory, to tell others of His great Redemption in Christ our Lord and Saviour. I always look forward to reading your comments; they are such an encouragement to me and spur me on to keep writing for Him. When our Lord returns I am sure He will find a remnant of true faith, albeit a small number compared to the entire world population. The power of His Word, the Gospel, and His timing is in His hands! Thank you for offering me a copy of your book, but I think the postal costs from Australia to Scotland would be rather high. May our Father God keep guiding you and blessing your efforts for Him dear sister, Amen.

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  8. copies to Scotland like to England are achievable and worthwhile if even one saint or searcher for HIM would like the encouragement. An address is all I need.

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  9. This is a timely post Alan. Jesus brings transformational and radical change and to commit to following and obeying His teachings is a narrow way which many do not find but wide is the path to destruction. Most people don’t realise they are on that wide road and are being swept along with the crowd. These statistics do not reflect the number who have found the narrow path. It stirs my heart and convicts me to keep sharing the good news of Jesus.

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    1. Thank you Nicola, these statistics make grim reading indeed, but you are right they should spur us on to share the Good News more each day.
      “save others, snatching them out of the fire; and on some have mercy with fear, hating even the garment polluted by the flesh.”
      — Jude 23

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