In the book, “Servant God”, the author writes “God’s Kingdom is not defined by conquering our enemies in battlefields or courts of law but rather through our service and love for them. God’s Kingdom spreads by persuasion and truth, not force and coercion.” How often have we gotten this wrong throughout history? How often are we still getting it wrong in our everyday lives? We confuse politics with religion, and action with faith. Our job is to love and serve others, just like Jesus did. People are won for the Kingdom of God when they recognize the futility of their own efforts and their need for something outside of themselves to save them. They turn to God when they come to understand what He sacrificed on our behalf.
We cannot force someone into the Kingdom of God. If that were the case, God would simply not have given us freewill. He could have then “forced” everyone into strict obedience to Him. For obvious reasons, we can’t kill someone to change their minds. Nor should we kill them when they refuse to change their minds. This is not the way of God’s Kingdom. It is not the way of love. No matter what other religions or people choose to do our response must always be one of love. Regardless of what we face, we must react in the same way Jesus did.
A love for God cannot be legislated. We may howl and rail when laws are passed that are contrary to the Word of God, but ultimately the only thing that will change the heart of another is love. While laws attempt to shape behavior, they can never change the mind of someone else. Christians spend a lot of energy trying to legislate a morality that can only be put in place by a change of heart. We would be better served modeling the love of God and serving our enemies, just like Jesus.
Remember, the whole point of life is to live in a way that reflects Christ. Our mission is to further His Kingdom. Nations and planets will come and go, but God remains forever (Matthew 24:35). Only He is worth our energy. Arguing with a non-believer accomplishes nothing. Loving them can be transforming for both of you. When we do the things that Jesus did, we will see the results that Jesus saw. Some will be drawn to God; others will hate and persecute us. It’s all part of the journey we have chosen to take with Christ.
Wars, laws, nor arguments will ever convince someone that Jesus is the way. Only love can change the heart of another. Our duty is to display the love of Jesus to all people at all times. This is how the Kingdom of God will become a reality here on earth. Ultimate victory will come when we love as Jesus loved, when we put God first in everything that we do. We are not of this world (1 Pet. 2:11-12), so our methods must also be different from anything the world uses. We will conquer by smothering others in love.