Coexhuh?

Three Reasons Coexistence and Christ Don’t Work

Today I was walking down campus and I saw a huge banner (above) hanging from one of the buildings. I am not a ‘fundamentalist’ in the sense that I adopt a ‘destroy the infidels’ mentality. I am, however, a fundamentalist in the sense that I believe in the fundamental truth of the Bible and I believe the truth presented in the Bible is a timeless one. I am committed to the principles of my faith, but I do not write this entry because I want to exalt Christianity over other religions. I want to exalt Christ. This brings me to my three reasons that Coexistence is not something that Jesus does.

1. Jesus Christ is the one true God. He is God, there is no other.
2. Coexistence now means separation later.
3. Coexistence makes all foolish and none wise.

1) Jesus Christ is the one true God.

There is none other. He has been a member of the Godhead from eternity past and will reign for eternity future.

In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.

>>John 1:1

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

>>Colossians 1:16-18

Jesus is the one and only true God, this makes Coexistence impossible. Suppose there is a kingdom ruled by a king. He is the only king of this kingdom. Some subjects of this kingdom obey this king and acknowledge him as such, but there are many who deny the kings jurisdiction. Some, having never seen the king, claim that he does not exist. Not only do they claim to have no king or a different king, but they also have different laws. The followers of the true king and the followers of the other ‘kings’ could not coexist, at least not very well. This is similar to the rule of Jesus Christ. Now there is one difference, in this world two kings exist. One is called love and truth. The other is full of deceit. All those who do not belong to the true king are followers of the later figure. What is more, these two kings are at war and the king of deceit has blinded the eyes of his followers. They are either not aware of the battle or are fighting on the wrong side. Coexistence between members of two kingdoms that are at war is impossible. Since we are in a war for light and love, however, our goal is not to defeat our fellow human beings who are on the wrong side. We also, were once like them. Our battle is not of flesh and blood, but for the glory of God and for the redemption of the lost.

2) Coexistence now means separation later

Perhaps the reader is still not convinced that coexistence is impossible. Now I make the argument that if love exists in the hearts of Christians for our unsaved counterparts, coexistence now is impossible. God is not forgiving towards sin, that is not forgiving in the way that we usually think about it. There is an infraction. There is forgiveness. Both parties are reunited. Perhaps when both parties are in the wrong this is acceptable, but God is not in the wrong. He demands obedience from all men and women on this earth. The price must be paid. And that price was paid and by it we may be healed of our illness. By His wounds we are healed. Faith through the Spirit in Christ is the only way to salvation.

It seems to me that going around accepting the deception of others in the name of ‘coexistence’ is foolish. The truth is, if we do not cause conflict in the hearts of the people now, we will not coexist with these people ever. That is, if we as Christians do not preach the gospel, the souls of these are lost. And the coexistence that lasted but a blink of an eye has cause many to fall into the pit. Forever tormented by their disobedience to the one and only King. But suppose the Gospel is not the only way. Suppose that there are others and the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths can all be pleasing to God. Then, I say, we are fools and our religion is useless.

3)Coexistence makes all fools and none wise

Were there many ways to heaven, then there is a problem. Coexistence might make sense if the revelation of God to the people was lost, made up, or if God changed His mind over and over and over again. At one time, God’s Word was manifested in the Bible, and then at another time in the Koran. Perhaps even Joseph Smith’s Book of Mormon was given by God. First, if the revelation of God was lost, then we are fools to believe what we have, because we have no knowledge whether it be true our not. Our lives would be much better spent in pleasure, even in the advancement of mankind. After all, if we have no knowledge of what God said, living a good life while enjoying it and contributing to the needs of others very well might please Him. If the revelation of God was made up then perhaps a different mindset needs to be adopted. Perhaps there is no God at all. Ah, this would also make religion foolish. Religion would become like a superstitious club, where theories on the purpose of this world were traded back an forth. Perhaps this is of advantage to tickle the intellect, but it does no good for the soul. Finally, if God is a fickle god, then religion is also foolish. Why attempt to please a god whose standard is not set in stone? Perhaps the same attitude as in the first situation might be adopted, but even this might not be good enough for God. Or perhaps He would be feeling ironic one day and let the worst of mankind into His heaven. It would not make since to do anything except what one desires in this case. In these three cases perhaps coexists could exist, but if any one of them were true, it would show the followers of these religions to be fools. Now, the Bible is the one true Word of God, so the middle situation applies to all other religions. They are made up. The same conclusion applies. Perhaps a false religions can coexist together then. But lies cannot coexist with the truth.

A last observation before I close this post. If I do not love the Muslim or the Jew or any of mankind by sharing the gospel and the love of Christ, then I am not of Christ. I am not truly a follower of Him. The reason that Christians are alienated from the people of this world is because we do not belong with them. We also, however want them to be in our midst. Worshiping the one true God. This was Jesus final command to His disciples. If we cannot follow Jesus’ final command. We should not be a part of His kingdom. Alienation is not a bad thing. It is a sad thing in that all are not united with Christ, but it is for certain not a bad thing. Alienation creates for God a unique people. He uses conflict to mature us. He sends us out into the world with a message that couldn’t be farther from the coexistence the postmodernists try to preach.

We preach the Gospel, the most foolish doctrine and largest stumbling block the world has ever known. But to those who are not of the world it is sweet. We preach the Gospel, so that in the future we can coexist. There will be coexistence between every tribe, every nation, every people, every intelligence, every stature. We will all be equal in heaven. And I’m fairly certain that we will get along together pretty well too.