The Dance of Compromise
“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers…Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?” 2 Corinthians 6:14a; 15b
Over the years, I have had the opportunity to visit with and work with some honorable men who followed the tenets of Islam. I have also had them in my home
It is interesting to study their perspectives on life and listen to their positions on religion in general and Christianity in particular.
I have discovered many things we have in common. We both want our children to be well educated, and we want our grandchildren to grow up in a world of peace. We pray that our days will be reasonably healthy and our endings swift and painless.
There were many matters of heart and mind that brought us together. And there are fundamental matters of faith that kept us apart.
We didn’t hate each other; we didn’t despise each other; we didn’t put each other down.
On the contrary, we respected each other and the sincerity of our individual beliefs. But there comes that time, and there always comes that point in time when and where we fundamentally disagree. We disagreed completely and totally on how we were to be saved from the penalty of our sins.
I believed I was saved by Jesus’ sacrifice; they believed they were saved by their compliance to the Koran, the prophet, and the tenets of Islam.
This is why I was amazed to read how some Christians celebrate Ramadan—the time when Muslims refrain from food and drink during daylight hours. I was surprised to hear these Christians considered this a gesture of solidarity that would deepen their respective faiths and send a message about finding peace and common ground.
It’s an interesting philosophy, but if I’m reading the above Scripture correctly, it’s not an accurate one. The truth is that while Christianity believes God’s Son, Jesus Christ, has paid the ransom to save us, Islam does not. We believe we are saved by grace through faith in Christ, and Islam does not.
Somebody is right in what they believe, and somebody is wrong.
Now, understand that I believe in respecting the faith of others; I believe in dialogue with them, sharing with them, and witnessing to them the Savior who saves. But I can’t pretend there is common ground when there isn’t, and I can’t pretend there’s more than one way to heaven when there isn’t.
My Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, I am most grateful for Your sacrifice, suffering, and death that saves. I pray the Holy Spirit will keep me and those around me in the faith. But I also pray for those who are still in darkness. May they see the wonders of Your love and the power of Your grace. In Your Name! Amen.
Have a Blessed Week:
Dr Robert Bryant