Christianity and World Religions
Recently I’ve been thinking a bit more globally. Certainly, events in the media have an effect on thinking. However, for me, our recent sermon series and small group study (Christianity and World Religions) has me reflecting more about folks of other faith traditions. I am confident most of them are truly seeking God. I believe God has planted this desire in our human being. Yet, for most folks, they will seek God from within the tradition they were raised or have lived within. Doesn’t that make sense?
So, how do we share Christ with folks that are not familiar with Him or have never had the effective witness of His message? I am more convinced than ever we must do this from a posture of understanding and love. When we really care about people, we choose to understand them -- taking time to learn what’s important to them, how they live, what they believe. Don’t we have to care enough, love enough … to understand another person? As a mentor of mine once said, I think there is truth in the maxim: "seek first to understand, then to be understood."
And, from the perspective of a non-Christian who may only know we believe in peace, justice, mercy, forgiveness and love, how important is it we live out these values? I realize I am asking some obvious rhetorical questions, yet they are relevant. Spoken truth can become irrelevant if it is not lived. I’m thankful for this study as it has raised my awareness to understand others different from myself. And, I hope that by trying to live out my faith in loving my neighbor, I might begin to be an effective witness to the hope, love and saving grace of Jesus Christ. What about you?
Peace, Jim