As we saw yesterday, Coexist is a word that is used to promote religious tolerance. In other words, we all have our own view on religion, so why can't we just accept each other and get along? As Christians, how exactly should we feel about Coexist? Let me give you my personal opinion.
First of all, can Christianity coexist with any other religion? It depends upon what we mean by coexist. Are we to start some sort of holy war or crusade and eliminate all those who are not Christians? Of course not, so in this sense we coexist with those who have different spiritual beliefs. On the other hand, coexistence does not mean that other religions or belief systems are equal to Christianity. At its foundation, Christianity claims to be exclusive. In other words, it claims to be the only way to God. This is highlighted in Jesus' words in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me.” What Jesus is saying here is that the way to salvation is through Him alone, period. In Acts 4:12, referring to Jesus, Peter said “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under Heaven, given to men, by which they must be saved.” In I Timothy 2:5 we are told, “For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” These, and dozens of other Scriptures like them, clearly teach that the only way to God is through Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Christianity is the only true religion, therefore all other religions are false. Admittedly, in our world of tolerance, this sounds very intolerant, self-righteous and closed-minded. And it would be, except for the fact that it is not we who claim Christianity to be exclusive but God!
Secondly, the Bible is clear that we need to confront error wherever we find it. Isn’t this the whole idea behind churches and missions - to proclaim the truth so as to deliver people from the lies and deceit of Satan? How are people going to know that they are spiritually lost unless we tell them? Is it tough to challenge the closely-held spiritual beliefs of others, especially when they are widely-held? Of course it is, but we don’t let that stop us. Error and falsehoods, wherever they may be found, need to be exposed. To avoid this is not helping others but hurting them instead.
Thirdly, we need to love others who have different spiritual views from ourselves. Call this tolerance or coexistence, but we are called to love our enemies, to pray for them, to do good to them. Bashing or belittling their spiritual beliefs is not going to bring them closer to God. In Ephesians 4:15 we are encouraged to “speak the truth in love”. While in context this applies to Christians speaking to fellow believers, I believe it should be a guiding principle for us as we present the claims of Christ to those who don’t know Him. It is the God-like love for the sinner while they are still a sinner. It is the same love that God has shown to each of us.
In conclusion, I think of the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:16 that we should be as “wise as serpents and as harmless as doves.” We need to be careful not to allow our faith to be watered down in an attempt to be ‘inclusive’ while still maintaining a spirit of love and acceptance toward those who do not know or walk in the truth.
Lord, thank you for the light of Your Word that show us the truth about You and how to find You. Help us to stand up for the words of Your Son, that He is the only way to You, but also let us have a heart of love and compassion for those who are lost. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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