I did not react to the comment, but maybe it had a ring of truth. I do not write books to make money. I hope that someone somewhere may find what I write helpful.
Jesus did not go around compelling people to be saved. No one is forced into Heaven against their wish. It is God's desire that we should join Him in Paradise for eternity but the final decision is surely ours. If we choose not to go to Heaven then it is for us to go the other way; whatever we perceive it or imagine it to be.
Maybe some people do not want to be saved. Either through negligence or defiant self-will they have chosen to turn their back on God. They have every right to do so. What right have we, Christians, to try and save them?
Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18
This paragraph has confused people for years on end. Does it mean we should all go out and "encourage" others to follow our ways and our beliefs? What if some of us are not good at public speaking, or writing, or knocking from door-to-door with leaflets, or standing at street corners?
What does Jesus really want? And are we failing Him by not following His instructions?
Each one of us has been given different talents and with them different responsibilities. I believe when we get to meet Christ face to face He may well remind us of Matthew 28:18
Those amongst us who have chosen to follow a religious vocation will have more to answer for. What is the point of a priest who has not "been Christ" to anyone?
Others will have to consider how their lives have affected others.
As a youth Augustine lived a hedonistic lifestyle associating with young men who boasted of their sexual exploits. His very nature, he admitted, was flawed. However, it is said that his mother prayed all her life for God to help him and eventually Augustine turned to God and became a leading figure in the Church.
This is what Jesus expects of us. To pray for those who have gone astray and to lead by example. Let us look truthfully at our lives. Is it really one that others would wish to emulate? What is it about us that would make someone want to be a Christian like us?
Sure, maybe some people do not want to be saved. But then, are we a bad advert for Christ?
