"So, which religion are you?" They looked at me.
Uh oh.
Not this question. No, please, not this question.
Every non-believer I've ever met has this among other reasons for rejecting my belief when I say "I'm a Christian":
"I'm just not a religious person. I don't feel like I need to follow all your 'rules'".
Then, they typically make some negative allusion to home-school skirts and 18-passenger vans (of which I have neither, which makes the remark all the more humorous). I often giggle in response - which is just awful - never laugh at an agnostic, that probably isn't the best way to convert them - but I can't help it. There are so many cliche stereotypes that Christians must forgo. It's as if we're expected to sit there and submit to the conventional image.
I was once at a friends house, who didn't know the Lord. A few of our other friends were there, and they started talking about their New Age ideas of spirituality.
It was then that they turned to me, who had been sitting quiet at the opposite end of the table (quite intentionally). I knew the answer to their question. And, if I had done what I have done a million times before, I would've answered "Christian. I'm a Christian." But I knew that wouldn't go over well. I wanted to influence these people, not turn them away.
"Well? Are you religious?"
"Nope."
....There was a silence.
"Seriously? You don't believe in God? The Universe? Anything?"
"Oh, yeah, I believe in God. And Jesus. But I'm not religious."
This completely confused them. "Jesus" and "Religion" were like ... inseparable! Two peas in a pod, siamese twins, a snake with two heads!
"You believe in Jesus?"
"Yeah."
"Like... That he's God?"
"Yeah."
....another silence. They knew something was fishy, here.
".....Why?"
Bingo. I now had a chance to explain my 5 reasons for believing why Christ is in fact who he said he was, without even referring to scripture. So far: Hadn't even mentioned the word "Christian."
After I was done explaining, my friends were obviously intrigued. They liked this idea. Love Jesus, and don't be religious.
What a thought!
"That's kinda cool. And different" one of my friends said.
"Yep." I smiled. :) In reality, I'm just another Christian. But I'm a Christian without the conventional image of "judgemental religious pew-sitter."
Unfortunately, right when I thought I got off the hook, another one of my friends connected the dots.
"Doesn't that make you a ... LIKE... a Christian?"
But, by this time, I could say "yes" without turning them off to my reasons for why I was a Christian - I had already given my reasons. I had made my case for Christ. I had told them why I believed in the historical and scientific evidence that Jesus of Nazareth was divine.
"I guess you could call me that, if you wanted."
The conversation went on. And my friends are now curious about what it is I truly believe. Still to this day, those same people are asking. And sometimes, that's all it takes for Christ to draw another one of His children to Himself.
Scripture tells us to be as wise as serpents and harmless as doves. This completely pertains to the way we evangelize. Know the enemy - and know how to defeat him. Know how to stand up against the Devil's stereotypes of Christians. Street corner evangelism is great. Passing out tracks is great. But I've found that being real, and being intriguing, is the most effective.
Just a thought for you to munch on today. :)
My love to all of you . . .
