I just came back from a meeting with my daughter and two of her friends. They attend a charter school in the area. I’ve been challenging and equipping them to reach their fellow students with the gospel. Today they kind of pushed back and told me that their classmates are particularly hostile to people attempting “push their religion” on them. Vocabulary means everything. The phrase their friends use reveals a lot about their mindset. They see Christianity or seemingly any faith system as something which can be thrust upon them. That’s too bad. As a follower of Christ I have no desire to make another person accept him. In fact Jesus seems to have made it hard for people to follow him. He doesn’t want the unwilling. So, an authentic relationship with the risen Son of God by definition cannot be pushed on another person.
However, I am driven to do all I can to help as many people as possible come under the kingdom reign of Christ. What drives me is the inner joy that I have received. I don’t want to push my religion; I only want to share my joy. I don’t believe people will suffer for eternity in hell so I have no need to issue a “turn or burn” ultimatum. I just want to see people be saved, not from eternal damnation but from the brokenness plaguing them in this mortal coil. Yes, I believe I have received eternal life but the word “eternal” is a qualitative as well as a quantitative modifier. I’ve received a different way of living that will also never end. Isn’t that worth sharing with everyone?