Christians need to stop trying to convert people.
Okay I am not saying stop preaching, or telling people about Christ; in fact I want more of that.
We need to realize that we are not called to convert the world but simply tell the world.
Conversion makes it seem like we have a hand in it when it is all God's doing.
We may be used by God to help bring someone to him, but we cannot make someone believe through tracts, threats, proof, or arguments of any kind.
What we can do is show God to people, give them a choice, an alternative.
Relief sin, sorrow, death and pain, and suffering.
We can give them hope, love, and care.
We are called to minister to a broken world; not to fix it.
Jesus is the one who does the fixing we just guide people to him.
And we do that through our actions.
Not through our words.
We need to show love not hate.
If God can love the world so much that he can send Jesus to die for us then the least we can do is show a little bit of love to the world as well.
I agree -- countless times I have had christians look at me funny when I tell them my goal with Muslims is not to convert them. Of course I want them to know the love of an intimate God who came in the form of a man named Jesus -- but how fake is it if I enter into their lives with the goal of ripping them away from what they've known to convert them. Why not just be their friend --- really be their friend. Love them, really. Just talk, and let things happen. It's much more beautiful that way.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem like we try to convert people through our ministry rather than simply allowing God to use us however He wants to...and the number of "converts" determines the "success" of the ministry.
ReplyDeleteI like your thoughts on this Joe...and Nicole.