A recent survey has found less than half of evangelical Americans “strongly agree” with core evangelical beliefs, while nearly one-third of Americans who hold evangelical beliefs don’t identify as “evangelical.” LifeWay Research released this survey on evangelical beliefs and identity that featured responses from over 1,000 U.S. adults.

Respondents were asked their level of agreement with four separate statements: 1) The Bible is the highest authority for what I believe, 2) It is very important for me personally to encourage non-Christians to trust Jesus Christ as their Savior, 3) Jesus Christ’s death on the cross is the only sacrifice that could remove the penalty of my sin, and 4) Only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone as their Savior receive God’s free gift of eternal salvation.

Most church leaders would be shocked to discover less than half of the adults in their congregation strongly agreed with these four statements. Yet nationally, this has become the new normal. Many people claim to be Christians, and even evangelicals, yet do not hold to the essential beliefs that have traditionally united this movement.

Why does this matter? In brief, beliefs fuel actions. If a person believes the Bible is his or her highest authority for beliefs, they will seek to know and live by its teachings. If it is important to share the message of Jesus with others, I will make time to do it. If Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6), I will turn to him for help rather than my own strength.

Yet countless Americans attend churches each week without such convictions. As a result, the Bible is not studied and applied with passion, evangelism is weak or non-existent, and Jesus is a “homeboy” or good-luck charm rather than Savior and the only source of salvation.

We can easily complain or point fingers at “those people” or “that church.” However, it is more important to examine our own lives. If you claim to be a follower of Jesus, what do you believe about salvation? What is your view of the Bible? How important is it to take the love of Christ those who have yet to hear?

Maybe a return to the basics is in order. If “Pioneer Woman” or the nostalgia or Hallmark Channel movies can capture the imagination of viewers, perhaps a return to the humble beginning of our faith can as well. This Christmas, we would all do well to review how the story of Jesus really began. Luke 2:11 offers these words: “Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

When we begin with Jesus as Lord, we rightly walk the journey toward a faith that includes right belief and right actions.

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Dr. Dillon Burroughs is one of America’s top communicators on today’s Christian issues. He serves as senior writer of The John Ankerberg Show and is author or coauthor of nearly 40 books. You can follow him on Facebook and Twitter. He lives with his wife and three children in Tennessee.