Atheists and Christians sometimes battle over the principles of religion. Atheists do not believe in God and therefore are resistant to any Christian trying to recruit them. Christians are bound by the word of God to spread the Gospel, and this often leads to heated discussions. Much of these problems are due to the fact that Christians are misinformed about our duties as Christians. Our job is not to spread the Gospel through hate, hellfire and brimstone.
I have known a number of Atheists in my lifetime, and some were antagonistic, while others were quite the opposite. I have had my share of lengthy conversations with them, and they are pretty much just like us. The difference that I see is that they either are misinformed about Christianity, or they have some specific reasons why they do not believe. Sometimes it is how they were raised to believe, and sometimes it is due to their own religious life experiences.
Where the problem begins is when the Christian starts trying what is known as the “hard sell” or the fire and brimstone speeches. Christians believe that when we die, we will be judged by our God. We will be given a sentence that will mean Hell or Heaven as we deserve. This is what we hold as truth in our lives, yet it is not what God wants as a means of conversion.
If you had an Atheist that converted to Christianity because you scared them into it, then what exactly do you have? You have someone that is speaking the words, but believing something else in their heart. The Lord does not want someone out of fear alone. The Lord wants people out of faith and love.
Not every Atheist will want to convert, and we should understand that right for them to believe differently. It is not our job to convert them. It is our job to be there, and to let them know about what the Lord has done for us. Our testimony should be one of love and compassion. It should not be forced upon anyone at all. The Lord knows a willing ear when he sees it. If we share our testimony with those that are willing to hear it, then the Lord will do the rest.
Atheists are wonderful people just like us. We believe one way while they believe another and that is okay. It is not our job as Christians to convert the entire world, though that would be wonderful for the world to know Christ’s love. We simply have to be champions of the Lord, and be willing to help anyone that wants to know Christ to find their way. Sometimes people need to find their way on their own. Not everyone thinks, feels, and responds in the same way.
The next time you are giving a testimony, save the hellfire and brimstone for Bible study and your own personal relationship with God. Instead, try to use love, compassion, and understanding as a tool to discuss the Lord. These are the things that the Bible says the Lord is all about, and those that have known that love can confirm the veracity. Do not ever think that Hell should be the motivation for converting because that is rotten at the core. Love should be the motivation for all things Christ.
