Culture Collision: Devotions From Time Of GraceSample

COEXIST

It is your destiny to live in a world where educated people don’t think there is absolute truth anymore. Nobody can say anybody else is right or wrong. The greatest social sins are being judgmental and intolerant. 

A prime example is the “Coexist” bumper sticker. The Christian faith is viewed as just another set of unprovable and personal religious opinions, and its cross is lumped together with symbols for Islam, pacifism, gay rights, Judaism, paganism, and Taoism. In today’s world, you can have your opinions and I can have mine, but don’t you dare ever say I’m wrong, and don’t you dare ever say that your religion is the only right one.

Well. I guess it all depends on the basis for your convictions. Christianity is inclusive—Christ Jesus died for all, to bring forgiveness and life to all, and all those who believe it freely have it. But it is exclusive too: “Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?’ Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’” (John 14:5,6). 

Don’t shoot the messengers. Christians proclaim the exclusivity of Christ, not because they are any better than anybody else or enjoy feeling smug and superior but because there really is only one way out of the grave and hell.