The question of whether Christians should try to force the kingdom of God on others is an important one that deserves careful consideration from a biblical perspective. At the heart of this issue are questions about the nature of God’s kingdom, the mission of the church, and how we are called to relate to those who do not yet know Christ.
When examining Scripture, there are several key principles that can help provide clarity on this topic:
1. The kingdom of God advances through humble service, not coercion
Jesus made it clear that His kingdom operates differently than the kingdoms of this world. Earthly kingdoms often advance through power, force, and top-down control. But Jesus told His disciples that “whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). The kingdom of God advances not through forced submission or political takeovers, but through sacrificial service, humility, and love.
Jesus modeled this servant approach. He did not come as a political messiah to overthrow Rome by force. Rather, He came as a suffering servant to lay down His life for the world (Mark 10:45). Jesus’ primary concern was serving people’s spiritual needs, not their physical circumstances or political liberation. His methods involved persuasion, not coercion. He healed, taught, and lived out compassion.
The early church followed Jesus’ model. Christianity spread rapidly, not through political or military conquest, but through grassroots service, evangelism, and discipleship. Christians lived out their faith in caring for the poor, sick, and marginalized. They shared the hope they had found in Christ. The kingdom of God grew as people were drawn to the love embodied in the church.
2. True faith must be freely chosen, not coerced
Attempts to impose Christianity through force undermine the nature of faith itself. A coerced faith is no faith at all. True saving faith is something that must be freely chosen from the heart (Romans 10:9-10). Faith involves trusting in Christ alone for salvation. This kind of personal trust and submission to Christ cannot be achieved through compulsion.
In fact, Scripture condemns efforts to impose religion through coercion. The Pharisees tried to pressure people into obeying manmade religious rules, and Jesus rebuked them sharply for “shutting the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces” (Matthew 23:13). He accused them of traveling over land and sea to make converts, only to make them “twice as much sons of hell” as themselves (Matthew 23:15).
True conversion only happens through the work of the Holy Spirit opening people’s hearts. The church’s role is to faithfully and lovingly share the Gospel, not force conversion or superficial obedience to Christian norms. According to 1 Corinthians 3:7, only God can give the growth.
3. Our calling is to faithfully embody and communicate Christ’s love
Rather than trying to “force” the kingdom on others directly, the church is called to embody the coming kingdom through how we live. Jesus told His disciples that the world would know they were His followers by their love for one another (John 13:35). As Christians reflect the light of Christ through acts of grace, mercy, justice, and love, it makes the kingdom attractive and opens doors for the Gospel.
We are also called to communicate Christ’s love. Jesus commands us to “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 everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Note that He sends us to baptize and teach – acts that require consent. We cannot force someone to obey Christ against their will.
Our role is to share the good news of the kingdom winsomely and persuasively, allowing people to make their own choice about whether to accept it. We plant seeds through good deeds and words, and trust God to give the growth in His timing (1 Corinthians 3:6-7).
4. Christianity often thrives where it faces opposition, not dominance
Church history shows that Christianity often thrives more in environments where it is in the minority or even faces opposition compared to settings where it dominates society.
For example, Christianity flourished rapidly in the Roman Empire even amidst persecution. But in the 4th century when Christianity became the dominant religion under Constantine’s reign, the church increasingly compromised and conformed to the surrounding culture. Many nominal converts flooded the church for political reasons.
Likewise, Christianity has often thrived in modern times in places where it faces restrictions or opposition compared to where the church wields cultural power. When Christians do not rely on political force as a substitute for spiritual force, it helps purify the church and makes it more dependent on God.
5. We are called to submit to governing authorities unless they directly conflict with God’s commands
The New Testament makes it clear that Christians are to submit to and honor their governing authorities wherever possible. Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-17 instruct believers to live as law-abiding citizens who recognize that all authorities are instituted by God. We are to obey our rulers and honor them by paying taxes, revenues, respect and honor.
The one exception is when government commands directly contradict God’s commands. In those cases, we are to respectfully disobey and suffer any consequences, as modeled by the apostles in Acts 5:29: “We must obey God rather than men.”
Beyond this exception, the church should not seek governmental power as a means of imposing Christianity on society. Our mission is not political enforcement, but gospel proclamation through word and deed.
6. Judgment and conversion are ultimately God’s domain, not ours
Another problem with thinking we can “force” the kingdom on others is that it wrongly assumes we can bring about people’s conversion or judgment. But Scripture says that ultimate judgment belongs to God alone (James 4:12). God alone has the power to grant repentance that leads to salvation (2 Timothy 2:25).
Our role is simply to share the gospel and live out our faith with grace and truth. We should not try to take over God’s role in saving people or condemning those who reject Him. Evangelism involves pleading and persuading, not coercing or threatening.
7. Our main concern should be faithfulness, not results
Finally, we must remember that God calls us to faithfulness, not necessarily results. We are to share the gospel wisely, truthfully, urgently and sacrificially, trusting God for the outcome. We cannot control people’s response or force them to convert on our timeframe.
Isaiah 55:11 promises that God’s Word accomplishes the purpose for which He sent it. Our job is not to force the kingdom, but to shine as light in the darkness by fulfilling Christ’s commands in the power of the Spirit. We can rest knowing the ultimate growth of God’s kingdom is in His capable hands.
In summary:
– The kingdom of God advances through humble service and love, not coercion or force
– Attempting to impose Christianity externally undermines true faith, which must be freely chosen
– Our role is to faithfully embody and communicate Christ’s love as we live out the gospel
– Christianity often thrives more with less political power and dominance
– We are to respect governing authorities unless they directly conflict with God’s Word
– Judgment and conversion belong to God alone, not us
– Our main concern should be faithful obedience, not results
The Scriptures give us wisdom for how to engage culture and relate to those who do not know Christ. They show us that the church should not try to “force” the kingdom through political power or coercion. Instead, we further God’s kingdom purposes when we faithfully follow Christ’s model of humble service, share the gospel message compellingly, and trust the Holy Spirit to bring about true heart change.