What do we do to make sense of this world? How can we make Christianity – our pursuit of Christ – fit in with the world and our culture? Wouldn’t God want peace and unity among mankind? Why then, are some followers standing in opposition? How can God be a truly loving God if he wouldn’t accept everybody? Isn’t that exclusive? All religions point to a supreme being – so those dedicated to that being will be received by God. Isn’t it all pointing to him anyway? How do we know Christianity is the right way and the others are wrong?
Bear with me. I ask these questions not because I necessarily believe them, but because I hear them. Sometimes the questions are asked verbatim. Sometimes the syntax is changed and yet the meaning behind the question is still being asked. Well I realize that I am just days away from 47, and by no means pretend to know all the answers or have a perfect life, I do believe that it is incredibly important – perhaps more so now than ever in my lifetime to have answers to these questions. Without the answers, I lack a foundation upon which to build my faith, and I lack the ability to stand strong in the midst of the increasing waves of deceit attempting to destroy what is true.
How can we make Christianity fit with the world and our culture? We cannot. Many are trying. False teachers are attempting, but we cannot. Simply put, Christ himself tells us that we are being sent out as sheep among wolves (Matthew 10:6). Jesus says in Luke 12, “Do you think that I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.” I think Jesus makes it clear in his teaching that living a life for him – a life of holiness and obedient devotion to God – will not mesh with culture and the world. God followers should not blend in. God followers should be the salt of the earth, the city on the hill, the light in the darkness. God followers should look different, think different, act different, love different, live different, respond different than those who do not know the One True God.
God maps this kind of life out for us. He gives us direction and guidance for how to achieve this type of life. His word. The Bible. We may not always understand the reasons why God says to do certain things or for that matter not to do certain things. That makes sense though, right? We aren’t God. We aren’t yet completely holy. We still have a sin nature we battle with. We still have tainted perspectives based upon our baggage and life experiences. God, however, does not. He was, he is, and he forever will be. His wisdom is not based on a few decades of life experience. His truth is not subject to change with the tides. It cannot. It is consistent to God’s character and desire for his children to be holy as he is holy.
So doesn’t God want unity? Yes. Unity in the church. His church. With his followers. I think we misunderstand unity. We want unity to mean embracing acceptance. Unconditional love or accepting people regardless of their situation and beliefs. This is a slippery slope for Christ followers.
We see that Christ came to offer salvation for all. Not all choose it. Not all desire it. It is a bit mind-blowing at times, but for some, living in sin just seems like a better and more desirable choice. Jesus knew that would be the case. He knew not all would choose him and the Father. Yet the gift was still given and continues to be offered.
Biblical unity means that we are not arguing and fighting over petty disagreements. Biblical unity encourages us to live in loving ways. Loving people. Choosing kindness. Seeing value in all others – whether they are Christ followers or not. However, it does not mean a blanketed “everything is ok” statement. It does not mean softening sin, or excusing it. It does not mean ignoring or removing the word of God so as to make others feel ok or comfortable with their life choices that contradict it. That’s not unity. That’s enabling.
That sadly feels to many like the loving a gracious thing to do – but it isn’t. Sin separates us from God. In his holiness, God cannot tolerate sin. This is why sacrifices were made in the Old Testament and the sacrifice of the son was made in the New Testament. I don’t know about you, but I want to be close to God. I want to live a life that has meaning and impact here on earth. I want to be in a relationship where God speaks and I can hear him. Sin interferes with that. And it doesn’t stop with self. I want my spouse to live this way. I want my children to live this way. I want my friends and family to live this way. I want my co-workers and community to live this way. Why? Because God’s ways are the only ways to defeat sin and find true happiness and purpose. God’s ways are the only ways that bring life and not death.
Christianity is exclusive. It is. But unlike other “exclusive” ideas/practices, all people are given the invitation to join and believe. All people. Christ didn’t just die for Jewish people. He didn’t just die for a handful of devoted disciples. He died for all mankind. The gift was given – now the decision to accept is our choice. Because all are offered the same gift, this exclusivity shouldn’t be something negative, but actually is a positive. In many ways, I think we can look at Christ’s gift as being offered a lottery ticket. We do very little to receive a prize that will be life changing. Christ offers us all we need and more but if we don’t accept the gift, it’s as if we are turning down the winning ticket.
Friend, there is one way to God. One. Jesus. No other religion can save. In fact, religion cannot save. Relationship does. God is clear about this. Any religion that promises to save outside of his way is nothing more than a lie. Do the research. The Bible continues to stand when others cannot. Look into archeology. It affirms the Bible. Look into the overwhelming support (even from scientists who profess to be atheists) into the case for Christ’s existence. It’s amazing. No other faith has the evidence to support it that Christianity does.
So the questions evolve to: Why would I want to pass on the gift from God that is Jesus Christ? Why would I desire anything less for my life than what God desires for it? Why would I believe my cultures unstable and ever changing attempts at “truth,” when that truth is constantly subjective and unreliable, and God’s truth remains constant and steadfast?
Be wise, friend. Be discerning. Investigate for yourself. Seek truth. When we seek, we will find.
Blessings.