Funny how easily we allow cultural trinkets to determine our destinies.
In an effort to restore unity, we started seeing those “coexist” bumper stickers everywhere. Do you remember those? They’re created using an Islamic crescent moon for the “C”, a peace sign for the “O”, the Hindu Om symbol for the “E”, a Star of David for the “X”, a pentacle for the dot of the “I”, a yin-yang symbol for the “S”, and a Christian cross for the “T”.
Coexist. A nice concept for humanity, and a giant question mark for the Christian.
If we are commanded to go make disciples, then how do we coexist with other religions? It feels oxymoronic.
Are we meant to force Christianity onto others? Certainly not. God didn’t force us to comply with Him; rather, He gave us free will to choose Him. Let’s take a look at what Paul said in regards to this matter in 2 Timothy 2:
If we are commanded to go make disciples, then how do we coexist with other religions?
23 Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. 24 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. 25 Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. 26 Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.
Don’t get involved in arguments that only start fights. Rather, be able to teach and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth, and perhaps God will change their hearts.
Perhaps God. It’s on Him, fam. Not us. The pressure is always on Him, not on our powers of persuasion. If we can convince someone to believe the gospel, then another person can come right along and convince them not to.
Perhaps God… not perhaps you.
This goes for sin, too. Only after God changes their hearts, according to 2 Timothy 2:26, will they come to their senses regarding their sin. We don’t convict people; the Holy Spirit does.
Someone I’ve been walking for a while recently revealed a sinful moment in their past that took place before they were following Jesus. Now that they are a full-fledged disciple of Christ, they still don’t regret that particular sin. Hearing that confession broke my heart.
They said, “I’m open to seeing this as wrong, but it felt like the right decision at the time, and it still does. If there’s a scripture about this, I’m open to it.” So at least there’s that. But the time was not right to share the scriptures explaining this matter. And while openness was declared, my Holy Spirit tingles (aka, the discernment of God) said otherwise. Perhaps the mind was open, but the heart was not.
We don’t convict people; the Holy Spirit does.
So I continue to pray for an opportunity to read the scripture with this person, and trust that the Spirit will convict.
If we pray for such opportunities, we must also prepare for them. The verses prior to those previously quoted above help us with that. Take a look at 2 Timothy 2:20-22:
20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
If we pray for such opportunities, then we must also prepare for them.
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