Coexist
The bumper sticker was quite clear and distinctly tot he point: COEXIST! Each mainstream religious symbol was represented on the sticker. I thought clearly to myself: That would be really great but it is not feasible….
When Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17, He specifically and also very clearly made it a point to mention the oneness of the Body of Christ in this world. You could imply this to the conception and approach of a unity of or completion of all the “Church” in that day. However, Jesus prayer was for the Body of Christ throughout all generations to be one with Him as He is one with the Father. Coexisting in and on this earth is a wonderful idea but not really idealistic in the sense of who one worships.
Christians are to be in unity! That is not really conceptual nor is it being embraced by Christian today. Throughout Church History, which I have read thousands of pages in study, there has never been unity! It is as though Jesus prayed this prayer of surrealism that should only be read and given a “nod” of approval and an “atta boy” to Jesus. Bring one in the spiritual sense is true and cannot be denied. Christ is in the center of all Christians and the practice of Christianity. If He is not in the center then it simply not Christianity at all. Which leads me to imply whole heartily that “coexisting” with different religious factions can be dangerous to say the least. Look into the history of wars on this earth and you will quickly learn that the greater percentage is over religious beliefs.
Christians have been and are still bickering over doctrine, dogma, racism, and location! The “who is the best” denomination and the competitiveness that this breeds is aberrant. All over the world Christians fight over the land, the possessions, the inheritances, the positions, the wealth. So how could we coexist with other religions when we cannot get along at all in our own arenas? Not to mention, as before, that all the other religions in this world don’t get along either. I know, the bumper sticker is an invitation to at least give it a try! This again, bring up the point that “religious factions” will try to kill one another over who they worship and how they view their leadership on this earth. One major point here is that no one is going to lay down their “god” for some other “god” just to get along.
In the reality “check” of all this and the application to coexist here on this earth or even in communities across the world is simply… It cannot be done! To many egos are involved. Even though it is not “practical” it makes a interesting discussion. Jesus was making the point that His life on this earth was to introduce “Eternal Life” through His sufferings and sacrifice. He did not introduced the conception of an idea but the “truth” of God and how Jesus would be the catalyst of healing between the One and Only Holy God, Jehovah. The reconciliation provided by Christ Jesus is not surrealistic but realistic. Not a rash unreality of dream but a foundation of truth that will withstand the “test” of time. Jesus was precise in His approach and attitude about serving the Father and coming to he Father through Him (John 10:1-3; John 14:6). The plain and simple truth is that before we can coexist we need to learn to get along amongst are own. The world without wars would be terrific, awesome and any other positive adjective that you would like to add. Life without Christ and embracing a “god” that could not bring salvation to the soul which is scared by sin would be non-conclusive to existing in any peace. For Christ let us His peace….(John 14:27) The solution is simple: Receive Christ Jesus, trust Christ, follow Christ. The problem continues to be competitiveness existing in the nature of mankind, even those who claim to know Him! We may be able to start to be in unity if the word “surrender” ever becomes popular in Christianity. Unity, by name, is at its best a positive idea but by far we have missed the mark of John 17.
Dennis
Remember prayer moves the Hand of God.