Numbers & Popularity (2)

Numbers & Popularity (2)
Tim Haile

In last week’s article I pointed out that many people are religiously moved by numbers (hence, the popularity of the mega-church movement). I cited the etymology of the word “popular” as being “of the people.” There is a natural tendency for “people” to want to be a part of that which is “popular.” The problem is that this can be very dangerous in religion. God’s people “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). Their faith is not defined or determined by how many people are saying or doing a particular thing. Their faith comes from “hearing the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Let us consider some scriptures that address the issue of numbers.

Matthew 7:13, 14 - “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter in through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Though it is a disturbing prospect, it is nonetheless true: More people will face spiritual “destruction” than will enjoy spiritual “life.” Jesus spoke these words just after warning people of the spiritual danger of hypocrisy (Matthew 6; 7:12), and just before warning them of the dangers posed by false teachers (verses 15-20), disobedience (verses 21, 24-27), and failing to respect divine authority (verses 22, 23). I should emphasize that, even though the “broad road leads to destruction,” it is the “many” (rather than the “few”) who are traveling that road! The road that is taken by the largest crowd is not necessarily the right road. And the crowd that is the largest is not necessarily the crowd that is right. With respect to salvation, the majority of humans will lose their souls. Salvation is obviously not based upon numbers.

Deuteronomy 7:7 - “For the Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples.” God’s selection of the Jewish nation was not based upon that nation’s size, but upon God’s own affection for it. Though humans often make the mistake of doing so, God does not measure faithfulness by how many people are doing a particular thing. We must guard ourselves against thinking that the largest churches and religious movements are necessarily the ones that are right. They may not be at all! Members of the religion of Islam comprise 1 sixth of the earth’s population, yet they don’t even believe that Jesus is the Son of God!

2 Samuel 24 - David sinned when he took a military census of Israel and Judah. God was displeased with David because he placed his trust in numbers, rather than in God. David had experienced God’s help in earlier situations (remember the Goliath incident), but for some reason, this time, he placed his confidence in his empire. He sought security from the hands of men, rather than from the hand of God. He was later “conscience-stricken” by his actions, and he repented of his lack of faith in God. And truly, it is a lack of faith on man’s part when he seeks spiritual security in human numbers. There is a reason why Moses said,”Do not follow the crowd in doing evil” (Ex. 23:2). The “crowd” is not always right. Even those who are “in the majority” can be wrong. “Friendship with the world is enmity against God” (James 4:4) We should seek to please God, not men (Galatians 1:10). We should concern ourselves with what God thinks of us, not what men think of us (John 12:42, 43).

Please join us for worship and Bible study at our building located at 125 Hilltopper Ave, Bowling Green, KY 42101. We meet each Sunday at 10:00AM and 6:00PM for worship, and Sundays at 9:00AM and Wednesdays at 7:00PM for Bible study. Our radio program is aired each Sunday morning at 8:00AM on the WKCT 930AM band. Phone: (270) 842-2049 – Email: parkwaychurch@yahoo.com or timhaile@mac.com.

Tim Haile, for the Parkway Church of Christ