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The Pew Research Center estimates that there are 2.18 billion Christians in the world. That’s one-third of the total world population of 6.9 billion. To get that number, researchers used 2,400 sources. They gathered and analyzed data from 200 countries. But if you ask them how many of these are genuine members of the Body of Christ, they would have to say they don’t really know. Only God keeps that record. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:19, “The firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, The Lord knows those who are His.” So while many profess faith, only God knows those who are true members of His faithful remnant. Preserving a true remnant was also a factor in the history of ancient Israel. In Isaiah Chapter 10 we read, “In that day a remnant will return; yes, the remnant of Jacob will return to the Mighty God. … Though the people of Israel are as numerous as the sand of the seashore, only a remnant of them will return.” God extended His invitation to all of them, but only a small group accepted the invitation and returned in faith. It is for them as Jesus said it is for us: many are called, but few are chosen. That is why the Bible urges us to accept God’s invitation before our hearts become hardened. The Bible also urges believers to trust and obey God’s word now. For if believers ignore or disobey God, we can drift away, become unproductive, lose our reward, and miss our Lord’s well done.
