Free Love

Source

Imagine Christians who treat those outside their faith with love, kindness, and respect.  Who explore peaceful and fulfilling friendships with people of all walks of life and who believe that, should discussions of faith occur, they can share the core of their world view, the essence of their soul, without censure or fear.

Now imagine that discussion being hijacked by someone who has to make sure everyone's perceptions are correct, who must make sure that people know right from wrong according to the Bible.

I have seen this happen on the Internet.  Worrywart Christians horrified at the thought that a sinner might think their sinning is "okay" due to some imprudent little whelp of a Christian being too free with the love and the kindness.

And this is why people don't like Christians in this day and age.  It's not because Satan is inside them whispering for them to rebel against God.  It's not because the media is a meanie.  It's not our culture.  It's not that Christianity isn't "cool" enough.  Those are only excuses for why this style of evangelism fails.

Here's a radical idea: It's not them, it's you.  Stop being a jerk who treats unbelievers like writhing balls of sin, and start treating them like human beings who maybe don't like getting hit over the head with the Bible.  The age where that was effective (if ever) is over.

Give people respect and you'll get respect.  It's a simple formula, but one that has been forgotten by what I hope are fewer Christians than the number I've seen online making this mistake.

Disclaimer: Obviously "you" doesn't apply to everyone but, for safety's sake, if you're not sure about yourself, assume yes and take appropriate self-improvement action.