Why Don't Christians Keep It to Themselves?
Why do Christians have to go around bothering everyone with their message? Why can’t they just do their thing and let everyone else do their own thing?
I’m Jewish. I’m Hindu. I’m Buddhist and you’re Christian. Let it be. Keep it to yourselves!
Here’s why: Because Jesus told us specifically not to keep it to ourselves.
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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. And surely I am with you always to the very end of the age” Matthew 28:18-20.
This command appears not only in this text, but at the close of each gospel, the opening of Acts, and throughout the Scriptures. Followers of Jesus obey not only the command itself but the model of how to “go” from Jesus, too. Through His ministry on earth, He went out to those who were apart from God to reveal the love of the Father. So we’re to go out and share the great love of God.
The problem has been that you likely have experienced well intended Christians not sharing God’s great love, but trying to convert you, often through coercion or control - the opposite of love. On the other hand, you may be the one told to go out there and evangelize in ways that may have felt very off-putting for you. Hurtful even.
But the mandate was to go and tell good news! “Tell them I love them. Tell them I’m for them. Tell them I’ve made a way.” This was all made possible through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Somewhere along the line, we got pushy and political and annoying. But that doesn’t change the charge given to us by Jesus to go.
And so, in a way that’s loving and honest, today we still go, telling two stories:
-
God’s story. The Good News: God’s not mad at you, but loves you, and
-
Our own story: Our experience of God’s love to us, personally.
So that’s why. And that’s how.
I’m real because God is so real.