Co-Exist

Ernest Lee was driving behind a car that had a bumper sticker that read- CO-EXIST. It had an Islamic crescent moon for the C, a peace sign for the O, the Hindu Om symbol for the E, a Star of David for the X, a pentacle for the dot of the I, a yin-yang symbol for the S, and a cross for the T. Didn’t get to talk to the driver, so I don’t dare claim I know the motivation for having the colorful sticker on their car. But everything we see is subject to our interpretation, so here is what Ernest Lee thinks the driver was trying to tell folks: (1) they are tolerant of all religions/philosphies/people, (2) they don’t have a solid value system or worldview.

Co-exist is a biblical principle. Paul told the Romans in Romans 12:18:  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Jesus left believers with two commandments: Love God- love your neighbor. Remember the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10? The point was Christians should be looking in the ditch for people who don’t look or think like us. But I don’t think Paul and Jesus were teaching what the driver was pushing. Most who have that sticker on their car are ecumenists. Ecumenism is a movement that tries to get different Christian demonimations and religions to unify. But as Ernest Lee’s buddy Aaron Tippin said, “you got to stand for something or you’ll fall for anything.”

While living at peace with our fellow man is biblical, walking along side those who disagree with us is not. Amos 3:3 says: Can two walk together, except they be agreed?Paul warned the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 6:14: Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? The lost don’t have the same values- the same worldview as the saved. There are people in Ernest Lee’s life who don’t share his value system. Seperating from them was hard, but it wasn’t contenious or bitter. When our priorities and spriitual journeys no longer were in alignment, they took a different path. We co-exist, but did not compromise personal convictions.

Religious pluralism has been around since Ernest Lee was in short pants. Before Rodney King said, “can’t we all just get along,” religious pluralist have been trying to unite the world around the concept of there are no absolutes. But there are absolutes!

While believers are to co-exist with unbelievers, they are not to compromise the principle of Jesus being the Way, the Truth, and the Life. John 14:6: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Ernest Lee used to listen to this song. Enjoy it- it’s got a lot of truth in it.

Ernest Lee’s buddy, John MacArthur preached a sermon several years ago at an R.C. Sproul conference ten years ago that is worth listening to, titled “Is Jesus the Only Way?:

Ernest Lee ain’t mad at unbelievers. I’m burdened for them. I want them to have what I got- peace, love, and joy because I’m forgiven- I’m reconciled to my Creator through the blood of Jesus, not because of anything I’ve done, but what my Lord has done. I can co-exist and even agree with unbelievers in secular settings, but my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. My commission is to boldy proclaim the good news that Jesus is the ONLY WAY to life everlasting.