We have all seen the bumper sticker that says "Coexist" using symbols from 7 different worldviews. They are displayed most often by people who have no allegiance to any of the worldviews shown on it. And the recent Boston Marathon bombing story featured a car with one on it that the terrorists hijacked to flee in.
While the people who display this sticker lecture everyone to be tolerant of each other, they themselves are most guilty of being intolerant of all views based on principles.
The "tolerant" people tell us Christians that we are to "turn the other cheek" as Jesus said, yet they themselves do not follow their own advice when they hurl insults at those who hold conservative views. After all, it's easier to tell others to do something that you don't have to do yourself.
And they conveniently forget that Jesus said that in regards to abuse and persecution, Jesus did not say that in regards to tolerance of sin.
God has always insisted that those who are to please him are to be separated from sin. He drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden after they sinned, and he instructed Israel to drive out of the land those who served other Gods.
While the people who display this sticker lecture everyone to be tolerant of each other, they themselves are most guilty of being intolerant of all views based on principles.
The "tolerant" people tell us Christians that we are to "turn the other cheek" as Jesus said, yet they themselves do not follow their own advice when they hurl insults at those who hold conservative views. After all, it's easier to tell others to do something that you don't have to do yourself.
And they conveniently forget that Jesus said that in regards to abuse and persecution, Jesus did not say that in regards to tolerance of sin.
God has always insisted that those who are to please him are to be separated from sin. He drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden after they sinned, and he instructed Israel to drive out of the land those who served other Gods.
(Deuteronomy 7:1-4)
1 When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;
2 And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:
3 Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
4 For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.
But Israel started making compromises with those in the land and tried to "co-exist" with them.
Their tolerance grew slowly until were inter-marrying and then turning away from God to serve the very idols of those God said to drive out.
This proved to be their destruction as God then drove them out of the land just like he drove Adam and Eve out of Eden.
Israel's example is profitable for us today. The New Testament explains more about how our relationships can compromise our faith.
We should look at that verse as meaning all interactions we have with un-Godly people may corrupt our beliefs.
The Apostle John itemizes the temptations of the world, their origin, and the fate of those who love them.
Fellowship with our brethren for mutual encouragement, and being sensitive to the leading of The Holy Spirit are how we can best maintain separation and be least impacted by the world, while having the most positive impact for the cause of Christ.
Their tolerance grew slowly until were inter-marrying and then turning away from God to serve the very idols of those God said to drive out.
This proved to be their destruction as God then drove them out of the land just like he drove Adam and Eve out of Eden.
Israel's example is profitable for us today. The New Testament explains more about how our relationships can compromise our faith.
(1 Corinthians 15:33)The word "communications" in the verse above means much more than just speech. Words like 'communications', 'intercourse' and 'communion', in The Bible, are synonyms and various forms of words we would use today as "dealings" or "unity".
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
We should look at that verse as meaning all interactions we have with un-Godly people may corrupt our beliefs.
The Apostle John itemizes the temptations of the world, their origin, and the fate of those who love them.
(1 John 2:15-17)James describes how friendly relationships with the world affects our relationship with God.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
(James 4:4)And Paul makes it clear that our un-worldly behavior is our testimony to the world that we serve a Holy God, and it serves as a mirror for them to see their own behavior in comparison.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
(Philippians 2:14-15)
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings:
15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
(Romans 12:2)Since we are all sinners, this is something that's hard for us to do on our own. I have over 50 years experience of failing to live a life worth of the grace of God.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Fellowship with our brethren for mutual encouragement, and being sensitive to the leading of The Holy Spirit are how we can best maintain separation and be least impacted by the world, while having the most positive impact for the cause of Christ.
Coexisting is OK if you do not have to compromise your own ideological beliefs.
ReplyDeleteAll too often we just "go along" in order not to draw attention to ourselves, or rock the boat. But sometimes that boat needs to be rocked to the point of capsizing.
I agree with your fist point, and that is the whole point of the post. With the unmentioned contrast with Islam that never co-exists.
ReplyDeleteHowever in regards to your second point, there does need to be a balance that the believer must establish as led by The Holy Spirit.
And I think The Bible says it best:
Romans 12:18 (KJV)
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.