Ours has fast become a world of tolerance and acceptability. We "narrow-minded" westerners are encouraged to overcome our prejudices and embrace the commendable aspects of other cultures. Such a message of toleration has also come to involve religion. Christians have been challenged to accept those of other faiths "as they are." The process of proselytizing (trying to convert people from one religion to another) has been soundly criticized in our society. As opposed to targeting individuals from other religions as subjects for conversion, Christians are encouraged (pressured) to embrace them as "fellow-believers."
How should a devout Christian respond to this world-wide ecumenical spirit? Should Christians accept other religions as being valid, equal to, or possibly even superior to Christianity? Should a Christian accept adherents of other religions as "saved" individuals, children of God who are simply serving God in another way? Should Christians seek to borrow doctrines and traditions from other religions in an effort to "improve" Christianity?
If we believe that Jesus is the Son of God we must accept the exclusiveness of His religion. Jesus Himself leaves no room for any other God, Savior, doctrine, or hope of salvation. Consider the following Scriptures.
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'" (John 14:6). Jesus is the (singular) way to God, the (singular) truth (which means that truth is not found in these other religions), and the (singular) means of attaining eternal life. Jesus did not offer Himself as one of many choices with regard to religion. He came to bear witness to the truth and to offer Himself as the only acceptable sacrifice for man's sins.
When the apostles were questioned about their authority to preach the resurrection of Christ, Peter responded, "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). The name that has been given is "Jesus Christ" (v. 10). Salvation can not be obtained through any other religion.
"That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world" (Eph. 2:12). Paul says that those who are without Christ have no hope and are without God. There may be many good, sincere and upstanding people in other religions. They may be making positive contributions to their communities. They may be devout adherents to their faith - but as long as they are without Christ, they are without God and have no hope in eternity.
"There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:4-6). While the spirit of tolerance insists that we embrace other religions, the Holy Spirit will not allow such a concession. The unity of the Spirit is achieved by accepting and acting upon the realization that there is one (exclusive) body, Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism and God. World religions offer many different gods, faiths, lords, hopes, etc. Thus, the Holy Spirit offers no grounds for spiritual unity with those who hold to other religious beliefs.
"Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son" (2 John 9). The only people who have fellowship with both God and Christ are those who abide in the doctrine (teachings) of Christ. When we embrace the teachings of other religions we are no longer abiding in the teachings of Christ, and thus no longer have God.
One cannot believe that Jesus is the Son of God and claim that Christianity is just one of many possible ways to serve God and save one's soul. Belief in Jesus requires that we believe what Jesus said, and Jesus taught that His religion was exclusive. Do not yield your faith to the spirit of tolerance that prevails in our world today.