Lately someone said this to me: “Christians should not convert people and pull them to their religion.” This person made it sound like Christians were desperate to give more people the label called “Christian.” While I agree some incidents in the world may have caused such negative perception, I would have given this person a piece of my mind, if not for the social barrier.
Can Christians convert anyone?
Can YOU, for that matter, ‘convert’ anyone, in the first place?
Let’s look at the meaning of ‘convert’, to begin with.
Acts 3:19
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (King James Version)
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; (King James Version)
The same verse in the New Living Translation:
Acts 3:19
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. (New Living Translation)
What does it mean to ‘convert’? Simple – it means to turn to God.
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. (New Living Translation)
What does it mean to ‘convert’? Simple – it means to turn to God.
What does it mean to ‘repent’?
‘Repent’ is a translation of the Greek word "metanoeo" which means "change your mind".
The Holy Bible makes it clear that salvation is based on a person believing in Jesus Christ. But, in John 3:18-21, Jesus says that it is not possible to believe in Him unless we first of all repent.
In other words, ‘convert’ means to change your mind to believe in Jesus and turn to God.
Can ANYONE make you do that?
Can ANYONE make you do that?
No! Nobody can ever MAKE you change your mind to believe something that you don’t want to. No one can ever ‘convert’ you.
Only YOU can DECIDE to CHANGE YOUR MIND.
The most, a Christian, or ANYONE for that matter, can do - is to share a personal testimony or a story. They can explain Bible verses to share knowledge. But they can never force you to believe, change your mind or follow Jesus.
Some people say they will ‘convert’ because they love someone who is a Christian, in order to get married - when in fact, they never changed their mind, nor believed.
Some people say they will ‘convert’ because they love someone who is a Christian, in order to get married - when in fact, they never changed their mind, nor believed.
Is this ‘conversion’?
No, it isn’t! This is pure hypocrisy and wearing the term ‘Christian’ will be nothing but an insult to the faith.
Let’s say you get married to a person, and you call yourself her husband / wife. Yet, 99.9% of the time, you are thinking about and hanging around your ex-lovers. You go everywhere with your ex-lovers and do all the things you loved to do, together. You enjoy great intimacy with those who are not your spouse. Your spouse is just a ‘legal label.’
Let’s say you get married to a person, and you call yourself her husband / wife. Yet, 99.9% of the time, you are thinking about and hanging around your ex-lovers. You go everywhere with your ex-lovers and do all the things you loved to do, together. You enjoy great intimacy with those who are not your spouse. Your spouse is just a ‘legal label.’
Just because you label yourself as someone’s husband or wife, it doesn’t really make you one.
This is a great UNFAITHFULNESS.
The Bible uses a very harsh word for such unfaithfulness – When it comes to worshipping God, the Bible tells us not to be unfaithful like prostitutes, who go around with many different men.
The Bible uses a very harsh word for such unfaithfulness – When it comes to worshipping God, the Bible tells us not to be unfaithful like prostitutes, who go around with many different men.
If you say you love God, be ‘married’ to him; follow Him and no other. If you don’t want to be faithful, why get ‘married’ in the first place?
Why? Because GOD describes HIMSELF as the HUSBAND, and the CHURCH as his WIFE. It is a sacred and loving relationship.
Who is the ‘church’? It’s not a building. The church refers to every individual who has truly ‘converted’ to Christ.
Who is the ‘church’? It’s not a building. The church refers to every individual who has truly ‘converted’ to Christ.
If we call ourselves Christians, yet go on with life with our old and sinful ways, this is called unfaithfulness. Why? Because as the ‘wife’, we are not faithful to our ‘husband’.
Even in everyday life, can ANYONE force you to be faithful to your spouse – in your heart, mind and actions?
Even in everyday life, can ANYONE force you to be faithful to your spouse – in your heart, mind and actions?
NO! You decide to be FAITHFUL by choice.
Likewise, can anyone force you to follow God and be faithful to Him?
Likewise, can anyone force you to follow God and be faithful to Him?
NO! You make that decision by you OWN CHOICE.
Jesus never forced anyone to follow Him, yet throngs of people wanted to be around Him. He only told and showed them who He is. People believed by choice. Even when Jesus picked his disciples, they needed no convincing.
Jesus never forced anyone to follow Him, yet throngs of people wanted to be around Him. He only told and showed them who He is. People believed by choice. Even when Jesus picked his disciples, they needed no convincing.
Jesus simply said, “Follow me…”
In that one moment, they left everything behind and followed him. In fact, they were even willing to die for their allegiance to Him, after Jesus was crucified.
Following Christ is not easy to live. It may cause you to be ridiculed by the world, or even persecuted for your faith. It tells you to live differently when the world says "it's ok". It tells you to love even when people harm you. It teaches you to forgive even when others hurt you. It requires sacrifice, and NO ONE can ever force you to do that.
You can never ‘convert’ a person, nor can anyone ‘convert’ you.
Following Christ is not easy to live. It may cause you to be ridiculed by the world, or even persecuted for your faith. It tells you to live differently when the world says "it's ok". It tells you to love even when people harm you. It teaches you to forgive even when others hurt you. It requires sacrifice, and NO ONE can ever force you to do that.
You can never ‘convert’ a person, nor can anyone ‘convert’ you.
It’s got to be your own choice, from your heart.
-JJ-
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