2 Corinthians 5:18-20 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Many people today believe that all religions are equal, that there are many ways to God. As long as you are sincere in your beliefs and efforts it will be enough. The faithfulness and effort of the follower is what counts rather than the truth of the teaching.

Islam is much in the news today as it seems to be finding more followers in the west and even in the United States. Many Christians take the stance of “who are we to tell them their religion is wrong”. This is the mindset of religious pluralism. All religions are equal, they all lead to God.

The problem with this view is it is contrary to the teaching in the Bible. Jesus said in John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me.” Luke said in Acts “there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved, except the name Jesus Christ”. This is the gospel, salvation is in Christ and Christ alone.

In Galatians, Paul rebutted a group of people called the Judeaizers who were perverting the gospel by trying to add works to faith in Christ. Paul’s response was if anyone preaches a different gospel than Christ alone let him be accursed, basically thrown into hell; strong words. Obviously for Paul and Jesus, all religions are not equal. In fact, Paul says that the issue is so important that if someone perverts the gospel they are to be accursed. There is that much at stake.

These are guidelines for us in a day of religious pluralism. We are to be ambassadors for Christ; representatives for Him and the faith. As Paul did among the pluralism of his day so must we take a strong stand for the truth of God’s word. truth_in_loveIt is part of our calling as Christians, to take the truth to the world. It may cost us. It will cost us. But we will be following in the footsteps of Christ himself, giving up what we cannot keep to gain what we can not lose.