"but since we come off hard,
you say we shove it down your throats"
-P.O.D (Payable on Death)
(on the song Preach off the album "Brown")
This is, contrary to the sound of the opening quote, a letter
of love from me to you. This an open and honest look at why
I am so fervently attempting to "shove" the gospel "down your
throat." This probably may not suprise you. It may surprise
some, but probably more not.
I love you. An almost stupid, meaningless statement in a
society such as ours today. People are willing to basically
say anything in order to accomplish their purpose. However,
I am not part of the society. I am "in the world, but not
of the world." In other words, my actions match up with the
Bible and not with the world. So, When I say something, I
mean it and do not lie.
What exactly is love? Here is a scripture:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it
does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not
easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the
truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,
always perseveres.
Love never fails. (1 Cor 13:4-8)
So when I say "I love you" it is no light statement for me.
For when I say that I must be willing to do everything in
that scripture. I must be willing to "protect" and "trust"
you. I must be willing to sacrifice all of my life for you.
And, yes, I do. I am willing. I would do anything just to
prove I love you. (This does not mean that you can take advantage
of me....)
So, with that said, I must start into the heart of the matter.
I know the truth. I know the truth. So, I am trying with
all my might to let you know the truth so that you will not
have to face hell. Since I know where you are going when you
die, if you don't accept Jesus. Since I care so much about you,
I must warn you and try my best to convince you of the truth.
The truth is that Jesus loves you and is willing to forgive you.
And just because I am saved doesn't make me any of a better person
than you. I am not up on some pedastal or something. I am not
a "self-righteous" person like you commonly meet in place where
Christians are. At least I try not to be. You simply are in the
dark. We all used to be there. We all still make mistakes. None
of us are any better than you are. None of us could ever claim
to be. And if someone does, that is a sign of their stupidity.
As the bumper sticker says "Christians ain't perfect, but
we're forgiven."
With those two main points said I'll bring it all into focus
and break it down to the lowest common denominator. I care for
you so much that I am willing to tell you the truth. Think about
it. If I didn't care about you, why would I be warning you of the
danger awaiting you? Wouldn't I just let you go you way and fall?
So, I "shove" the gospel "down your throat" because I care about
what happens to you. I don't want to go to heaven without
you.... and I don't want to have to watch you burn in hell.
Written by:
me
© Copyright 1997 Jonathan Johnston
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