Righteous or “Nice-teous”
Is being nice better than being righteous?
If we look into our churches we can see that the perception is that it is more important to be “nice” than it is to be right. We welcome visitors, help the poor, and encourage each-other. We say hello, goodbye, nice to see you, etc.
I don’t think there is anything wrong with these things, but what is the purpose of being nice? You can be nice and wrong at the same time. If we bring people into the church through only niceties, then they are only attracted to the community because it is nice, not because they want to give their lives to Jesus and repent.
And, there are far too many these so-called Christians in our churches. They are there for themselves, and no-one else.
We forget how to be righteous in an effort to put “niceness” ahead any talk of sin and repentance. Do we forget about good doctrine because we want to be nice? I would say, yes, we often do.
A recent discovery of mine was when a friend who calls herself a Christian explained to me that she doesn’t believe that Jesus is the only way to God. She believed that this is only one way to God, and that those who are in other religions get to God their own way.
In other words, to her Jesus is the only way to God for Christians, but you can get to God by believing in other religions as well. This makes the logic of the Christian doctrine of no effect. Period.
This friend ended up yelling at me for my horrible belief. How could I condemn other religions like that?
No Christian who believes as I do wants to condemn others. That isn’t our job. Our job is the great commission, which has no purpose if any other religion can provide a way to salvation. Jesus didn’t tell us to go and tell people to be religious, He told us to baptize nations (individuals) in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19).
How are We Drawing People In?
The doctrine we draw people in with is the doctrine they stay for.
If we draw people in with the wrong doctrine, we may be filling our churches, but they are there for the wrong reason. If we draw them in with promises of wealth, that’s what they stay for.
It is important that, when you minister to people about your faith, that you share with them the promises of salvation through repentance. They need to know, without uncertainty, that Jesus is the only way they can get to God. They need to be motivated to be there enough to repent and be obedient to the wonderful new life they will have.
They need to want to give up their old lives.
Let me count the ways that we draw people in and keep them there? Promises of unconditional love (uh, only to the repentant). Expectations of wealth (uh, you can also become wealthy by following sound financial management advice). A community of nice people (we’ve gone over this). Business contacts can be had (and they can also be had at networking events). Narcissistic manipulation (yeah, this happens, and this only creates victims, not Christians). Self-actualization, or fulfillment, or self aggradation (popular philosophy).
The Blame is Ours, not Theirs
If a person isn’t there for repentance, they are there for the wrong reason, and we are giving them that reason by using other means to draw them in than for the reason Jesus came.
I’ve heard ministers explain it is okay to draw people in for other reasons, and then they can be taught what real Christianity is later. But, as stated before, what people are drawn into is what they stay for. They will most likely not be drawn to true Christianity.
Be Bold
People are seeking repentance, and we don’t need to apologize for offering it to them. Be bold when you minister. You won’t reach large numbers of people, but you will reach those who truly want what true Christianity offers.
I would say that, if you fill up your living room of such people, you are doing an amazing work.
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: — Jerimiah 3:14
If you reach one family in a city, and two of that family, you have done a great job. This sounds like a very personal approach is needed.
But I am getting into different topics.
Final Thoughts
Well, I’ve said what I wanted to say. Just make sure you are drawing people into Christianity, or your Church, for the reason Jesus came, which, in case you missed the memo, is for repentance and salvation. Not religion, or any other reason.
