Our nation is divided, in part due to our separate beliefs concerning religion.
Many in this land believe the government and religion should be separate, that no individual should be forced to follow, pray, or act in accordance with a faith that is not their own. These people look at the Constitution of our nation and believe that is precisely what the Founders intended when they kept the God of the Bible completely out of the document: the Founders gave no power to any god to rule over the law of the land.
Then there is the other side of the division: these folks believe America is a Christian nation, one founded on the faith in the God of the Bible and his son Jesus. They believe that the United States has been a blessed nation because we support Israel—as commanded by this God—and they strive to ensure this nation follows the Word of God. They are so determined in those beliefs that they have worked for years to establish followers of their faith in legislative bodies and courthouses, so as to pass laws that agree with their God and his Bible.
Which brings us to the inevitable question:
DID JESUS COMMAND US TO FORCE CHRISTIANITY ON OTHERS?
Let’s take a look at what Jesus did.
A Rich Man Refuses to Follow Jesus
A man came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to have eternal life?” Jesus answered, “Why do you ask me about what is good? Only God is good. But if you want to have eternal life, obey the law’s commands.”
The man asked, “Which ones?”
Jesus answered, “‘You must not murder anyone, you must not commit adultery, you must not steal, you must not tell lies about others, you must respect your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.’ ”
The young man said, “I have obeyed all these commands. What else do I need?”
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, then go and sell all that you own. Give the money to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come and follow me!”
But when the young man heard Jesus tell him to give away his money, he was sad. He didn’t want to do this, because he was very rich. So he left.
Matthew 19:16-22
What Did Jesus Do?
Did he continue to pursue the rich man until he was 'forced' into submission, or did Jesus simply leave the rich man decide for himself?
And what about this lesson, when Jesus sent his disciples out to share his message to people in other towns?
Why is it so hard for those who want to follow this Jesus to actually do what Jesus did, and stop trying to force this faith on others?
If you want to be a Christian, Jesus commands you to “follow him” not “force him on others.”
Even in Jesus’ Great Commission speech—the one he gave before he left his disciples—he never instructed them to force anyone into the faith.
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”
Matthew 28: 19,20
The key word is “teaching” not “forcing” them. Jesus sent his followers out on a mission that he knew was wrought with danger and trouble: he knew best how the world would react to his teachings, having paid the price of his life for his beliefs. Surely he understood that those who shared his faith would meet a similar outcome and many did, but that didn’t change his message.
He did not tell them to force this faith on anyone: Jesus knew each person must come to their own decision about their own beliefs on their own.
Why then can’t those who say they follow Jesus accept and do just that?
© Radical Liberal 2023. All Rights Reserved.
Fair comments. My problem is not about the good of Jesus but the lies of Christianity. That you're born "damned," that you need to be "saved" and that Jesus is "coming back" are cruel, scary lies taught to children to control their behavior. No good human believes that nonsense. Christianity is a fraud. It should be a crime.
Well said! I agree