Do you force it or present it?

  Do you force it or present it?

We must remember that Jesus said,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16,17.

That being said the only way we can reach the world around us is to sit down with non-Christians and present the gospel of Christ in the spirit of love.

We cannot do this if they see us as trying to force our beliefs on them. We cannot reach them if they believe we are trying to force our morals on them. 

It is not the Christians job to try to impose or get governments to legislate morality.

We live whether Christians wish to acknowledge it or not, in a secular society. There is no such thing as a government based on Christian principles. While some of our laws are indeed based on the Bible many are not.

This means; especially, if we live in a democratically elected free society, that governments will enact legislation that we may not like. But it's not our job to try and change that legislation. That is providing the legislation is not harming people or restricting the rights of Christians and non-Christians. 

In a democratic society change is something that takes place in ballot box. Where Christians and non-Christians alike have their say.

The apostle Paul while awaiting his death after being imprisoned by the emperor Nero wrote,

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness."  1 Timothy 2:1,2.

Paul and Jesus lived in a society that was every bit as diverse as we have today. Roman society was a society that found entertainment in men and women being murdered in gladiatorial fights. A society with many gods and as we would say today lifestyles.

I'm sure when the Apostle Paul entered Athens he was appalled at what he seen. Yet he never criticised the Greeks for what they believed in.

Instead Acts 17:17-34 tells us Paul started by noting there was a temple to "an unknown God". Then going on to present the Gospel message. The results of the message were mixed. Some wanted to hear more. Some sneered at what he said and some believed.

Question: when you tell people about the gospel of Christ do you force it on people or present it, letting them make their minds up for themselves?

Please think about it.