Creating Conversations

Christians, what’s our job? I ask that question with all sincerity. Before Jesus ascended back to the Father, what did he tell us to do?

Matthew 28:19-20 NIV Therefore go 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.

Then why do we get so politically charged up, that we forget our purpose? Making disciple. As a whole, we are gung ho for this narrative as long as they don’t cross our borders illegally, are not Muslim, or some other undesirable people that we deem not worthy of the American dream. We forget that the Kingdom has no boundaries, and is for all.


I have to admit I struggle with this issue. Having spoken to someone dear to me recently and whose opinion I greatly respect, she made some compelling arguments, and that she lives in a state that is affected by this issue, I can understand her point. However, as much as I agree with her as a citizen of the United States, as a citizen of the Kingdom I must disagree. When I became a compatriot of the Kingdom, my allegiance changed. Yes, I’m still concerned about immigration, and I hate what’s happening at the border. But the gospel must be preached, so if we can't get to them, let them come to us. This is about eternity, and we have to be extremely careful, we don’t want anyone excluded from the potentiality of living in the kingdom. Yet we do it to large groups of people. 


Another example: We as Christians, tend to make enemies of those we disagree with. If they’re a Democrat they must be pro-choice so we paint them all with a wide brush, justifying our disdain for them with our understanding of scripture and ultimately questioning their salvation. Often, slightly dehumanizing them in the process. This is dangerous. If we begin to view people as less than others, it opens the floodgates not only to how we speak to them, but also to how we relate. Our priority should always be the Kingdom.


So, how should this be handled? With a society so fragmented. How can we rise above it? Prov. 11:30 gives us a clue: From the NASB “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and one who is wise gained souls. After contemplating this scripture for a while, I've come to some questions we should ask ourselves.

  • What are our motivations?
  • Is the heavenly Kingdom foremost in our minds, or the earthly one?
  • Do we treat the opposition with grace, understanding, love, and respect? Or, with such disdain that it creates such a level of animosity, that it builds a wall that no amount of effort can scale.
As an example, I’ll use the abortion issue, and how we as Christians tend to handle it all wrong. We forget that our job isn’t to save babies, though it’s a noble cause. Our job is to expound on the good news. God himself, in the form of Jesus Christ, came to Earth and redeemed all of humanity. So that now we by His grace, have been reconciled to Him.  We must remember that only a heart changed by God first can change the minds of your opposition. So, it makes no sense to enter into a bitter argument with someone with an unregenerate heart.

Does this mean that we don’t opine on this subject? Of course not! Remember, Proverbs 11:30 “he who wins souls is wise” It’s how we navigate the conversation. Using harsh words is not using wisdom, yet we do it. We Christians can be downright nasty, and showing empathy, and grace can have an amazing effect. The following is a hypothetical conversation between opposing sides.

Pro-Choice: “I think a woman has a right to choose what she does with her body”.

The common response would be something to the effect “It isn’t just your body, but the body of another living human.” Though that may be true, it also sets up an argument that builds walls, and nothing you say from that point on will be listened to. So I suggest you de-escalate the conversation a bit. Example:

Pro-Choice: “I think a woman has a right to choose what she does with her body”.

Pro-life in response: “So do I, and I don’t want to take away your right to have an abortion. I may disagree significantly with you, but as an American citizen, it's your right.  Just like you shouldn’t want to take away my right to freedom of religion.

What we’ve done here is diffuse the situation to a point where conversations can be had. And where once was animosity and argument, we have communication. Remember, only a changed heart can change a mind. Our goal should be to change the heart of the opposition, and their mind will follow. Let the Holy Spirit do His work

It’s not about right or wrong, and taking a stance. It’s about winning souls for the Kingdom.


Ephesians 4:29 NIV

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only What is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.



Bro. Scott


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