INTOLERANCE or True Believer

You’ve probably seen the bumper stickers that say; “COEXIST” written out in various symbols that represent different religions and beliefs.

If the bumper sticker is stating that we should live together while respecting each other’s differences then that is a good thing to put on a bumper sticker. I’ve seen enough wars, arguments, and disagreements in my lifetime between and over different beliefs. We should never let our beliefs turn us towards hate or violence or for ostracizing those who don’t share the same beliefs as we do.

However, if the bumper sticker is stating that we should all believe that all world religions like Islam, Paganism, Buddhism, Witchcraft, Wicca, and Christianity are somehow just supposed to coexist, and pretend that there are no conflicting contradicting points of views, then I disagree with the message. It is not possible for us all to join hands and sing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and all will be well. What we believe really does matter and all beliefs can’t possibly all be true. 

I personally don’t think that we can really recognize, accept and even embrace the truth of our commonalities without abandoning our convictions about the TRUTH. You must follow the one who started the beliefs that govern your life; and as a Christian, I choose to follow Jesus Christ. Christianity is not about trying to get all of the world religions together under a common belief; except to say that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

In this crazy ‘accept everyone for what they believe’ world, Christianity can seem to be intolerant of other beliefs; and perhaps it is by simply standing firm on a belief system that says that not all ways lead to God. But, as Christians we profess that belief only because we are following Jesus, who said that He was the ONLY way to God.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)

That statement by Jesus is either true or else it is not. If it is false, then there is no need to listen. But if it is true, then there is no other way to God except through Jesus Christ and therefore all other ways are, by deductive reasoning, beliefs that are not truth. And “Truth, by definition, is intolerance” (Dr. James MacDonald).

The Apostle Paul, writing to a church in Greece that was filled with Christians who used to follow many gods, wrote this: "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “ I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16)

Fellow Christians; it’s time for us to be “True Believers” and follow Jesus without compromise. Don’t look for ways to divide or to isolate or argue. But at the same time, don’t water down the words of the Bible just to coexist; it will never work. In fact, what you are doing is denying who Jesus is by watering down the truth of the Bible.

Jesus had some pretty strong words to those who will deny who He is: “But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33)

I pray that we are able to find ways to reach a lost world with the wonderful grace and love and even truth that only Jesus can offer.
All Scriptures from New King James Version © 1984 Thomas Nelson

Confused about what Christians believe?  

Here are a couple of websites that might help: http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=51283   http://www.thetruthproject.org/  http://www.believeintheword.org/   

"True Believers" by Phil Keaggy

Just don't know where, where to begin

When earthly kings surrender to this world of sin.

To walk the walk, talk the talk, truth is

Heaven on earth is one stairway

That can't be bought.

The price is paid, we believe that our God reigns,

The true believers stand on every word You say,

The true believers made alive in Christ today,

This is how we survive and where we mean to stay.

The true believers.

You've had enough, all you can take

When your river of tears

Runs into an ocean of heartbreak.

He'll be your moon when your sun goes down,

Fire for you if ice is all that's on your ground.

When your music has died,

And silence is the sound,

The true believers stand on every word You say,

The true believers made alive in Christ today,

This is how we survive and where we mean to stay.

The true believers.

So if you need to call on a friend,

He's there for you right until the very end,

His love is alive forever and amen.

The true believers stand on every word You say,

The true believers made alive in Christ today,

This is how we survive and where we mean to stay.

The true believers.