"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." - Acts 1:8

Sometimes we imagine that people will ask, 'Why are you pushing your religion on me?' This could lead to our being discouraged before we even start witnessing. This shouldn't be the case since as believers we have something real to offer. The following dialogue should help to put things into proper perspective. The setting is door knocking during Saturday morning visitation. The believer is Dorian Knocker (also known as The Door Knocker or DK). A man has just answered the door. 

DK Hi, I'm Dorian Knocker from Bethany Baptist Church and I'd like to invite you to one of our services. 

Man No thank you, I have my own religion. 

DK Well then, I would like to leave you with some information about our church if that is alright with you. 

Man Actually, it is not alright. I don't appreciate your interrupting me. 

DK I'm sorry. All I want to do is invite you to our services.

Man That's fine, but if I want to go to a Baptist church, I will find one on my own. 

DK Okay, I'm sorry if I've offended you. I'll just be on my way. Thank you for your time.

Dorian was polite but the man would not let it rest without getting in the last word. 

Man Wait a minute! Can I ask you something? 

DK Sure, go ahead. 

Man Why do you Baptists do things like this anyway? 

DK Like what, sir? 

Man You know, pushing your religion on other people.

Dorian was harmless as a dove, but he was also wise as a serpent (Matthew 10:16).
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"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." (Matthew 10:16) 

DK Sir, before I answer that let me ask you this. You said that you have your own religion, right? 

Man Yes. 

DK Well, then, have you ever thought of knocking on my door and telling me about it? 

Man Why should I do that? 

DK Compassion. I mean you wouldn't want to see me end up in Hell would you? 

Man Oh, come on now! Are you serious? Who says that anyone is going to hell. 

DK You mean there isn't a peace to be made with God because of our sins? 

Man Well, yeah, but it doesn't warrant me going around telling people about it. It's not that big of a deal. 

DK If it's not that big of a deal, then why do you need a religion in the first place?

The man realized that Dorian had made a valid point. He was even beginning to feel like he had been 'playing church' all his life. 

Man Are you questioning my religion? 

DK Sir, I don't mean to offend but let's be practical. What good is a religion if it doesn't resolve where you will go when you die? 

Man But who can know that? 

DK The Bible teaches that you can know for sure. That is why I'm willing to share my "religion" with others. I feel it has something real to offer. 

Man Now wait a minute. I feel my religion has something to offer too. After all, it does make me feel good. 

DK I grant you, sir, that your religion is serving some therapeutic purpose, but has it provided you with a real personal relationship with God. 

Man Well, sure it has. I think, I guess it depends on what you mean by a personal relationship. 

DK By that I mean, Do you know you have been forgiven?
Do you know you are going to Heaven?
Do you have a desire to do God's will?
Do you desire to always attend church?
Do you have a desire to avoid sin?
Do you have the power to overcome sin?
Do you understand and respond to the Bible?
Do you have peace with God? Do you have all these things and more to the extent that you feel compelled to tell others about it? and Do you feel like David when he said in the Bible, "And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation"? (Psalm 35:9).

The man thought about what had been said and he had to admit that his religion was not worth telling others about. 

Man I guess you really have something worth sharing after all. 

DK Yes, sir! The Bible answers it best when it says: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)

And with that Dorian went on to explain that the following steps result in a person being born again into God's family:
* See themselves as a lost sinner; * Repent of their unbelief; * Put their trust in the fact that the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ paid for their sins when He died on the cross.

THE MORAL OF THE STORY

As Christians we should never be intimidated from telling others about Christ. After all, Bible salvation is real; it changes lives; it results in sins being forgiven and peace made with God. It has pulled many people out of the despair of sin. We have something worth telling others about. So, the next time someone questions our motive in telling others about Christ, ask them if they would be willing to do the same with their own religion and if it is real enough to compel them to warn others about God's judgment.