Some time ago, a WeChat group discussed why more people dislike Christians. Some claimed that Christians were detested by the world because they held fast to the truth.
However, Jesus also declared, "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:13-16)
It shows that while it's true that Christians obeying the Lord's commandments may be rejected, a Christian with life can also be praised by the world and glorify the Lord. Even some good deeds done by Christians correct the social climate.
For example, the early church remolded the evil deeds of the Roman Empire and missionaries in modern times contributed to the transformation of social traditions in China. Therefore, it's inaccurate to say that all dislike by non-Christians of Christians is from Christians sticking to their faith. Except a few people, most non-Christians have consciousness and approve truthfulness, compassion, and beauty, since the goodness when we were created still remain in them.
Then what is the reason for the dislike?
A teacher attended a homecoming. During the gathering, several Christians shared the gospel in an extreme way, forcing non-Christians to convert to Christianity. The teacher said, "You were too radical. How could you force people to believe? I will definitely not convert to this fake Christianity unless you are like John Leighton Stuart and Dr. John Abraham Otte (a medical missionary who sacrificed his life to save Chinese people in Xiamen). In that way, your witnesses can be convincing." She objected that those radical Christians didn't show respect for others when evangelizing to them.
It revealed a problem that conflicts triggered by radical evangelism accounts for a large percentage what non-Christians hate. It's good to be enthusiastic in evangelism, but a poor approach gives rise to rejection by non-Christians and leads them much further away from the Christian faith. It's more important to share the gospel in deeds than in words, like the western missionaries helped Chinese people with action, moving many people to follow Jesus.
(The author is a Christian from Fujian Province.)
- Translated by Karen Luo
