War of the Worldviews
Christians oftentimes create intolerance and unnecessary tension between themselves and people of other faiths. Why does this happen? Here are my thoughts:
We try to hold non-Christians to Christianity’s standards.
We are surprised and frustrated when non-Christians don’t obey God, and we often try to change their behavior. Jesus didn’t do this. Jesus taught everyone, but He only required change in those who chose to follow Him. I can think of no example in the Bible where Jesus expressed anger toward those who didn’t claim to follow God and didn’t obey. It was the people who claimed to follow God but didn’t obey that brought the anger of Christ. Behavior is a result of belief, so we shouldn’t expect behavior from someone whose belief doesn’t back it up.
We focus more on the issues than the people
Things would have been a lot different if Jesus had spent his time making anti-sin bumper stickers and organizing anti-sin protests instead of spending time among and getting to know sinners themselves. Why do so many of us do it the other way, then?
We try to produce results and changes instead of letting the Holy Spirit make the changes.
I remember reading a pamphlet about how to share your faith with others. Some parts were good, but some parts give reason for pause. It had clever things to say and questions to ask, but looking back on it, it feels rather like “How To Make A Sale” instructions. We put so much pressure on ourselves to “close the deal” or produce the change ourselves, and we forget it is God who controls the timing and brings an attitude of change. I mean, can you really imagine this exchange taking place?
Jesus: Hi, I’m Jesus. What’s your name?
Benjamin: Benjamin.
Jesus: Benjamin, it’s nice to meet you. Do you have any spiritual beliefs?
Benjamin: I guess. That’s kind of private. You don’t even know me.
Jesus: Do you believe in heaven and hell?
Benjamin: I guess so.
Jesus: Well Benjamin, if you died tonight, where would you go?
Benjamin: Why? Are you going to kill me?
Jesus: No, no. It’s just a question.
Benjamin: Well, I’m not sure.
Jesus: I have six verses I’d like to show you.
Benjamin: Uh, ok.
(Jesus pulls out scroll and shows Benjamin the verses.)
Jesus: Based on the 6 sentences we just read, do you realize that you are a sinner, that you need forgiveness, that I am the only way to be saved, and that you will need to follow me?
Benjamin: I guess. But I don’t feel ready for this yet.
Jesus: Why?
Benjamin: I’d just like to think this through. Like I said before, I don’t even know you.
Jesus: If you got hit by a horse today and died, do you think you would go to heaven?
Benjamin: Well, based on the 30 seconds and 6 verses you shared with me, probably not.
Jesus: Would you rather go to heaven or hell?
Benjamin: Heaven, of course.
Jesus: Wonderful. I’m going to say some words, and you repeat after me.
(Jesus prays; Benjamin mumbles the words after Him.)
Jesus: Welcome to the Kingdom of Heaven! Getting to know you these last two minutes have been great, but I need to go. There’s some bread that needs multiplying on the other side of the lake. God loves you!
(Jesus walks away.)
Benjamin: (Thinking to himself) This is like what happened to me at that Amway party.Even though we are anxious for people to decide to follow Christ quickly, boiling down the beautiful story of mankind into bullet points and forcing someone into a mental corner with our logic and clever questions doesn’t seem like a good way to help someone find the life Christ offers. Following Jesus does not mean saying a prayer. That’s the easy part. Following Jesus brings a life of struggle, sacrifice, danger, and sometimes rejection by others. Following Jesus means that we believe that His way of living is the best way to live life. It is something that should not be entered into lightly. It’s something that will probably require more than 2 minutes of thinking outside a supermarket.
Jesus presented truth, and never forced anyone to do anything. He wanted them to count the cost, and make a decision for themselves.
Some suggestions for Christians:
1. If people don’t follow Jesus, we have no business judging them. Who are we to judge another person’s servant?
2. People are the important thing. Learn to enjoy people without always having an agenda.
3. Our agenda isn’t important anyway. God’s agenda is. We are called to share, not make a sale. God takes care of how people respond.
deb responds:
Posted: April 12th, 2006 at 4:36 pm →
Good post. I think one of the reasons Christians act that way is they feel pressured to “save” people. We get so excited about the Truth that we get frustrated when people don’t get it. It’s the fear factor thing…”If this person who I care about doesn’t accept Jesus before they die they’ll go to hell and that hurts me.” But, like you mentioned, God is in control of who comes to Him. We are to be vessels but He has to open people’s hearts before they will hear the Truth anyhow.
This is always a challenge for me because I don’t interact much with nonbelievers since I’m mostly at home. I pray about it though that when I am out with nonbelievers someplace (like at family gatherings) that I will always show the grace of Christ to them. I used to be more opinionated with my beliefs but the more I build relationship with Christ the more I become loving and grace-filled.
Rachel responds:
Posted: April 12th, 2006 at 4:45 pm →
Yay Wendy!!! As usual I agree with you.
If we don’t want to be pressured by sales people when buying anything, why would we want to be pressured about THE most important decision of your life?
Jay responds:
Posted: April 13th, 2006 at 10:32 am →
Well put. I have nothing witty nor substantial to add.
Pity, that.
Joshua responds:
Posted: April 14th, 2006 at 10:04 am →
Hey, I don’t know you, but awesome post. Mind if I link to it with a mini-blurb on my blog?
Playtah responds:
Posted: April 14th, 2006 at 10:13 am →
You are absolutely welcome to!