What Christians Want Out of Life

As a Christian, what do you want out of life? What are you hopes, prayers, expectations, and aspirations?

A new study released this week by The Barna Research Group reveals that different types of Christians want different things out of life. The survey, which was based on a random sample of 1,003 adults in May of this 2008, asked the participants to rate 19 possible outcomes in life in terms of personal desirability. The preferences were then analyzed according to 12 overlapping but distinct segments of Christians. For example, Evangelical Christians, who are born-again and possess specific theological and social views, were the only group where a high percentage (90%) listed as many as six of the 19 future-life possibilities as being very desirable. The six outcomes this group chose were:

* Having good physical health.
* Having a close personal relationship with God. —
* Having a clear purpose for living. —
* Living with a high degree of integrity.
* Having just one marriage partner for life.
* Being deeply committed to the Christian faith.

The goals that were chosen by only 1 percent of Evangelicals were "achieving fame and recognition," and "having a comfortable lifestyle.”

Other findings of the research:

* Those who see themselves as Christian, but not born again, were less than half as likely to say that being active in a church or being deeply committed to the Christian faith were very desirable.

* Protestants were twice as likely as Catholics to say that working in a high-paying job was highly desirable as a life goal.

* By a margin of between 9 and 16 percent, Protestant Christians who attend a mainline church were less likely than non-mainline Christians to say that being personally active in a church, wanting a close personal relationship with God, or wanting to be deeply committed to the Christian faith were highly desirable.

Isn’t it interesting what a broad perspective we get on what is important to Christians when we poll Christians from every background across the nation. This is why it is important for those of us who are identified as “born again evangelicals” to continue to hold true to the Word of God, and read the word of God so that we know how to live our lives with a Biblical Worldview, and not let the world influence us too much.

The Bible says in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--His good, pleasing, and perfect will." The only way you can confidently know God’s will is to read the Bible.

Don’t let the world mold you into its shape and way of thinking, only let God do that; then we will be faithful Christians who are not swayed by the world’s opinions, “We should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ” (Eph. 4:14-15). Let’s be mature Christians, becoming more like Jesus every day!

May the Lord bless you as you choose to live for Him!

Yours in Christ
Roger

For a complete report, visit www.barna.org