The Sunday Mail
THIS is a follow up to the article published in The Sunday Mail Religion of May 15, 2016 on religious tolerance. Therein, a case was made to the effect that religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence between different faiths, religions, and traditions is the way to go.
In this instalment, we seek to share some thoughts on the basic tenets of Christianity and how inconsistent its teachings are with alleged intolerance that may be attributed to the faith and those who practice it.
Christianity consists of God incorporating Himself into humanity through the person of Jesus Christ, to the end that through the ministry of Jesus Christ, in particular his death and resurrection from the dead, humanity might be incorporated into God.
So Jesus Christ is the person through whom humanity got complete reconciliation with God from the separation that sin had brought and brings about.
Christianity is thus a message of reconciliation of humanity with God, and this reconciliation is available to all who are available to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, and all that He represents.
There should therefore be no way the Christian faith should be linked to any untoward sentiment towards other religions, since by its very nature and inherent substance, love is a key component. Love for all humanity for their salvation in God through the person of Jesus Christ.
It may have occurred that some individuals in history tried to use the Christian faith for their own ends, but that does not change the truth that the faith embodies. Even today, there might appear individuals who may seek to use the Christian faith to achieve objectives inconsistent with the true teachings of the faith.
Such people must be ignored.
Jesus Christ Himself, the embodiment of the Christian faith, is unchanging. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He transcends the machinations of anyone who may seek to use His Name for ends inconsistent with the truth that He represents.
Of Jesus Christ, here is a trustworthy saying: If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny and disown and reject Him, He will also deny and disown and reject us. If we are faithless (do not believe and are untrue to Him), He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself.
It, therefore, stands to be reiterated that the Christian faith mean good to and for Zimbabwe without which our nation is poor off, if not altogether doomed.
In conclusion, it should be emphasised that Jesus Christ, the living and eternal Word of God that was embodied in humankind, mean only goodwill towards all people who embrace Him as the way, truth, and life – through whom human beings may be salvaged for an existence consistent with God’s purposes for His creation.
Article supplied by Christian Leaders Network Zimbabwe, a platform that gives expression to Christian convictions for the national development, renewal and well being of Zimbabwe. Feedback: [email protected]
