Non-believers are not my enemies; they are victims of my enemy. That statement shed new light on how I engage with those who haven’t had the privilege of meeting my Savior. Non-believers are victims of ignorance and misinformation. We can’t reasonably expect non-Christians to act like anything other than non-believers.
Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness.”
Samuel Butler popularizes an old English proverb in his 1664 satirical poem Hudibras that says, “A man convinced against his will is of the opinion still.” If we view non-believers as stubborn, contrarian believers, we overlook the context of their lives. Most are living a life they believe aligns with what they know. Our enemy has indoctrinated them into believing they are normal and that Christians are abnormal.
2 Timothy 2:24, “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone. Able to teach, not resentful.”
What We Present versus What We Say
“How you live your life is a testimony of what you believe about God.” – Henry Blackaby
We have all sinned and continue to sin. If we, who understand Christ’s love for us, keep sinning, what can we expect from non-believers? Non-believers don’t share our sense of right and wrong, and even with all our knowledge, we still struggle to stop sinning. Isn’t it hypocritical for us to judge non-believers based on their sin?
“Our world does not need to hear more people talk about God or even about Jesus if those people do not have a lifestyle that reinforces every word they utter. The interesting thing is that the closer we walk in intimacy with God, the less we have to say. Our very lives become a bold and beautiful testimony to the purity, the freedom, and the beauty of the Lord Jesus.” – Dennis F. Kinlaw
If we interact with a non-believer from the perspective of their sin versus my sin, we have set up a confrontation. Confrontations often lead to defensive behavior, which ultimately results in closed minds.
Christian Humility
Luke 14:11, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Humility is the ability to see all people the way God does. Part of that understanding is recognizing that we are all uniquely and wonderfully made for the purpose God has for each of us. In God’s eyes, none of us is better or worse; we are all equally valuable.
Just because non-believers’ hearts have been captured by our shared enemy doesn’t make them less valuable. Misguided and misinformed, but no less valuable.
Humility is the key to opening doors. Approaching each person with the intent of understanding them first, then guiding them with the love and compassion of Christ, will bring benefits to their lives. Knowing that you accept them as a person first and foremost creates trust. That trust is the currency of meaningful dialogue.
Christian Pride
As Christians, we know how it all ends. We know we are on the winning side. Christians can feel self-righteous, taking pride in the fact that our sins are forgiven and that we will be with Christ.
Proverbs 11:2, “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
This pride over something we had no control over. We did not save ourselves. The same God who saved us can and will save those we see as sinners. We should approach this immeasurable gift with humility. Jonah did not want God to save the people of Nineveh because, in his eyes, the Ninevites were not worthy of salvation. Many Christians do not see non-believers who are living in sin as worthy of salvation. Yet we still struggle with our sin.
Evangelism is an act of love and compassion. It is creating a safe place for discussion.
“Your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer