Why Faith Grows Best Through Love, Not Force
Let’s talk honestly about Christianity and its place in the world today. If we’re honest, there have been times in history when the church lost sight of what Jesus taught and relied too much on power and pressure. Sometimes, when religion gets too mixed up with politics or the state, it can end up being about control rather than love—and that goes against the very heart of the gospel.
But what is the heart of the gospel? At its core, Christianity is not about forcing beliefs on anyone. It’s about people freely choosing to follow Jesus—joining with others in community, and making a difference by how they live, love, and serve. True faith is meant to spread through gentle persuasion and good example, not through threats or laws.
We can look around the world and see that in some places, faith touches every part of life. In those cultures, religious leaders help guide questions about right and wrong, and faith isn’t just pushed off to the margins. Maybe in the West, we can learn from this—faith should shape how we act at home, at work, and in society.
But freedom—especially freedom of faith—always comes with risk. People won’t always agree. Sometimes, Christians will find themselves at odds with the broader culture. That’s part of the deal. We shouldn’t respond by trying to force our way or win “culture wars” with power. Jesus himself refused the path of power when he was tempted with authority over “all the kingdoms of the world.” Instead, he chose the way of self-giving love, even to the point of dying at the hands of the state.
As theologian Miroslav Volf puts it, forcing faith on others is the opposite of what Jesus taught. Christianity is about giving of ourselves—just as God gave of himself to us. It’s not about imposing, but about inviting.
Yes, there’s still plenty of wrong in the world, and Christians may not always agree on the best way to stand against it. But the heart of the gospel calls us to lead with love, humility, and persuasion, not with control.
Let’s return to that heart—choosing to live in a way that attracts others by our actions, not by our demands. That’s how real change happens, both in us and in the world around us.
God bless!
Minister A Francine Green
August 2025