You're not an unserious Christian if your writings aren't saying "repent".
I’d like you to think of this piece as strictly my opinion.
I say “my opinion” because it could change in the future(or not), as I don’t think I’ll stop learning anytime soon, but this is something I’ve been thinking about lately.
I can understand if you say Jesus wants us to win souls for Him, and our every breath should exude the instruction — “repent”. That’s totally fine, but that’s not where I’m coming from.
I’m coming from the stance of people who strongly believe that if you’re not preaching “repent” with every word you say or write as a Christian, you’re not “doing God’s will”.
My first question is: how do you even know God’s will for me?
I thought my relationship with God was a personal journey.
Or isn’t it so anymore?
I’m coming from the stance of the judges. Watching your every action like a hawk without need to see reason behind your actions but only seeing reason on how you’re not living like the Christian in the days of Apostle Paul.
I have nothing on Apostle Paul, but c’mon.
Our times are different.
People are easily exposed now.
They are asking questions.
Thought-breaking questions.
And context is the best way to handle these objections to help the “unbeliever” see reason to accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and personal saviour.
If all my writings were “repent for the kingdom of God is near”, I’m sure I’ll be the most scrolled past writer on Substack.
There’s nothing unserious about respecting your reader enough to answer questions they might have through your writings.
I’ll give an example;
In business, there are what we call cold leads, warm leads, and hot leads.
Cold leads have never heard about your product or company, thereby, the hardest to sell to.
Warm leads have heard about you but haven’t bought yet due to minor objections that a sales call can fix.
Then there’s the hot leads. These are the folks waiting for your product launch, ready to shut down your website with their massive numbers.
“repent for the kingdom of God is near” is me going the hardest route in this age and time. This is why we need writers, preachers & creatives to go about this kingdom mission armed with context.
By context, I mean educating people on what they’re getting into.
Christianity isn’t a cult, but you get what I mean.
There have been people who genuinely feel they got tricked into Christianity, and that’s against all Jesus stands for.
Jesus did everything in public, and He expects that we do the same. Not hiding bits & parts of the whole picture so we can meet our target of the number of souls we have “won for Christ”.
And one last thing I want to touch on is this:
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We All Have A Calling.
My way of evangelism doesn’t have to look like yours. We are all travelling personal paths of life.
Some of us aren’t even called to unbelievers. We are actually called to our fellow believers, to serve as tools of reminders of what God has said.
And in the end, what counts is — is God in this?
If yes, then why not?
If yes, then why would I feel guilty about what someone finds wrong with my way of evangelism?
Mind you, I’m not advocating against counsel. I’m advocating against judgy people.
People who only have eyes for everything wrong about your walk with Christ.
We are not in the religion business as Christians. We are in the soul-winning business.
In all of this, the best place for you to find the direction & guidance you need is in the presence of God.
His validation supersedes all. It could be directly, or through proven men of God, but you’ll know regardless.
So no, you’re not unserious if your writings aren’t exactly saying “repent for the kingdom of God is near”.
Cheers to growth..
I think as Christians, we can be relatable but remain uncompromising and still uphold God’s standards.
Like you said, we don’t have to yell ‘Repent’ on the streets to win souls and yes there are different ways we can be led of God to spread His name.
For Christians who judge other Christians or anyone at that, I have no words. Let’s all remember that we were saved by Grace and it is that same grace we should endeavor to extend to others.
We can correct in love, give counsel with the wisdom of God but let no one think of himself higher than the other.
Each one of us represent a piece of the ‘Body of Christ’. So we should aim to evangelize in whatever capacity that we have been graced with.
So as writers, whether you write fiction, devotionals, reflections, quotes, personal experiences …whatever it is, as long as it points the reader to God at the end of the day, you are doing God’s work.