“And the lord said unto the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.’” (Luke 14:23 KJV)
The Merriam-Webster dictionary says to compel is to cause a person to give in, to pressure. Some of the synonyms this source provides include, drive, force, impel, impress, make, muscle, obligate, oblige, press, and pressure. The same source cites the following words as associated with compel: browbeat, bulldoze, bully, cow, hector, intimidate, blackmail, high-pressure, menace, shame, terrorize, and threaten.
Knowing that the verse above, taken from one of Jesus’ parables, and aware that it has been used to move us from action, starting with an objective to fill God’s house, I had to research a bit. I do believe the Lord wants us to do our missionary work and I concur that the Lord wants His house full, but when I looked at the word “compel” and the dictionary definitions, admittedly, I got confused. Clarity was found. C.S. Lewis wrote, “How these words and this translation has been twisted over time. The words “compel them” actually imply divine mercy. He says, “The words compelle intrare, compel them to come in, have been so abused by wicked men that we shudder at them; but, properly understood, they plumb the depth of the Divine mercy.” I wanted to know more to clear up my understanding and cancel any confusion. So, checked with another source. I found the following, written by Adam Clarke: “Jesus simply meant His servants should prevail on [those invited to the Great Supper] by the most earnest entreaties.“ He goes on to say, “Just like the Latin words, cogo, and compello, compelle intrare means to prevail on by prayers, counsels, entreaties, etc.”
I started thinking of a childhood occurrence that I am sure I must have shared with you at some time over the last four years, but let me tell you again. My older brother was sent with me to help me collect monies due from delinquent customers on my paper route. I was around nine years old. We go to a lady’s house, and this woman advanced in years has us sit down in her living room. I started to feel uncomfortable; felt like I was in a thriller movie. She goes to get her weapon, the word of God. She did not ask if we had a minute or not. We were not captivated, but felt as captives. She reads passages to us. She then lays hands on us and prays for us; using an unknown tongue at times. She sends one of us to get some water out of the kitchen. She blesses it and sprinkles it on us with a forceful throwing motion that would make the greatest major league baseball pitcher proud. She then picks up some oil and rubs it on us. At that point, we decided she can have the paper free. We were out of there! While she was apparently trying to compel us to come to Christ, some of the words found in the Merriam-Webster dictionary were applicable in our little minds. We felt bulled, terrorized, threaten, intimidated, pressed, and pressured. Good thing we already knew about the Lord and salvation, because she would not have compelled me to come into God’s house.
It’s Saturday, the day before worship service tomorrow, so I apologize for being longer than usually on this particular weekend day. However, I know you will engage in some discussion with friends and loved ones about your faith in Christ at sometime during this holiday season, especially since He is the reason for the season. I am sure someone will challenge your faith. Your pastor will continue to emphasize the responsibility you have to make disciples. We must do the latter, but don’t resort to any of the negative definitions of “compel” that will come through your mental prisms, left by education, experiences like mine, or error-filled indoctrinations. Don’t debate, argue, force, threaten, shame, or terrorize anyone. Be gentle when you have opportunity to speak the truth from the word. State the facts at the right time and in the right way. Avoid high pressure sales-like techniques. Pray for the lost among you. Compel them by your Christian conduct! Enlighten them by your attribute of being the light of the world. Don’t put your beliefs aside. I’ve told you before that there are no timeouts for us. Be holy without being inhospitable or intolerant. When asked how you have done this or done that, go ahead and testify, “It was the Lord” or “Can’t nobody do me like Jesus.” Well, I hope I have helped and prepared you for when for when you are put in the position of helping to bring peace on earth, goodwill to men, and to help those estranged from God find peace with Him; reconciling with the Almighty through Jesus the Christ. Have a wonderful Saturday! Be at church tomorrow, physically if you can, virtually if you cannot! Be blessed!
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” (Ephesians 4:29 NIV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King