Today I had an opportunity to read a document about a group calling for reformation. In the document, many points of the Christian faith were illuminated and re-affirmed, but I found a few alarming points. Within this document there was also a declaration for the right (and respect) of all faiths to practice their beliefs in a setting of religious liberty toward a peaceful co-existence. Most people would not have any problems with establishing peace across the varied religious landscape and would work vigorously to do so. For many (even Christians), this is their purpose and goal to build peace, but there is much more we must understand in such an endeavor...
John 13:34-35 (KJV) - A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Luke 19:10 (KJV) - For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV) - And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Within these scriptures, we'll find that we are called to love others as ourselves. And within this love, we give evidence of being disciples of Jesus, but we must go further. As Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, we too take up the same purpose as disciples. We assume the Lord's commission to make disciples of all nations, baptize them, and to teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded.
So, how can we strive for a position of religious liberties with other faiths without focusing on evangelism?
If Christians believe they have received a message of truth and salvation, why would they find comfort in building peaceful relationships without regard for their salvation?! We are called to seek and save those that are lost...or would we rather allow people of other faiths remain lost for the cost of peace?!
While the document I read was careful to accept people of all nations and faiths, it disregarded a fundamental purpose as disciples of Jesus. The document remained a welcoming invitation that includes everyone, but excludes key aspects of Jesus' teaching.
As disciples, we are called to love our neighbors, but aren't we also called to share the Gospel as well?
