Words or Word

Day Two                       Words or Word?          I Timothy 3:1-16

Truth be told, there are many similarities between Christianity and other religions. Many of the moral precepts which undergird the Christian way of life are accepted by others. We should not be surprised when, by common grace, followers of other religions express a commitment to justice or compassion. One of the pillars of Islam, for example, is the giving of alms to the poor. At times, Christians have given the impression that we invented morality, or that the Ten Commandments are ours alone. Of course, the Law was given first to the Jews. The Ten Commandments are, therefore, only ours because they were honored and preserved by the children of Abraham.

Neither is it just the great monotheistic religions that share similar morality. Buddhism contains a moral code that many have compared to the Sermon on the Mount. Even Hinduism, with its multitude of gods, has points of similarity to Christianity. For example, Jesus’ words about turning the other cheek find common ground with Hindu theology which teaches that, when we are smitten by an ax, we are to be like sandalwood, which pours its perfume upon the very ax that smites it. Even the idea of the sacrifice of the cross is paralleled in the story of the god Shiva who “drank poison that we might ambrosia taste.” There are clearly many points of contact between the religions. Christians are sometimes confused or threatened when they are made aware of these similarities. But this is a mistake. We don’t need to pretend that only Christians know how to live morally upright lives. Other religions, clearly, can speak the truth. However, neither should we pretend that all religions are the same, for they are not.

The point of divergence between Christianity and all other religions, including Judaism, is the person and work of Jesus Christ. Be wary of those interpretations of Christianity that make little of Jesus. If they speak more of ‘God’ in a general sense, and less about Jesus, you may begin to suspect that they will be more interested in common themes than in the uniqueness of Christ. This has become a very serious issue in our day. Some theologians, intent upon communicating a watered-down Gospel, in which it doesn’t matter very much what you believe, speak less and less about Jesus.

John had no such qualms. Like us, he lived in a religiously diverse world. He was no stranger to syncretism, the mixing of elements from different faiths. But, John leaves us without doubt about what he believes. John is clear – other religions may contain similar words, but Christ alone is the Word of God. Our faith is different – because He came.

Lord God, let there be no taint of arrogance about me. Let me not pretend that I am superior, as though I deserved salvation. Don’t let me be patronizing or condescending when I speak to those who do not share my beliefs. But, at the same time, don’t ever allow me to compromise for the sake of peace. May I never be ashamed to call You ‘Lord’. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.