Losers: Other Religions?

A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give Me a drink”...

And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all that I ever did.” So when the Samaritans had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His Own Word.

John 4:7, 39-41 (NKJV)*

A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

Matthew 15:22 (NIV)**

Some Christians see Earth’s other religions as blasphemous and obviously wrong, and some of them DO worship foreign gods– even idols, which the Lord warns against.

Some Christians hate Jews, because Jewish leaders had Jesus killed… even though the Father planned it that way, even though they remain dear to God’s Heart.

Some evangelicals hate Catholics, for past mistakes and methods of worship… even though they clearly worship Jesus, even though God calls us to unity. 

But let’s remember…

  • A large group of Samaritans believed in Christ without seeing signs and wonders.

  • The Canaanite mom believed in Him, too, although her own culture worshipped idols…

  • As did the respectful centurion, although Rome (his home) also loved idols.

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

Recall Paul (and the saints) in Ephesus. The merchants, selling idols, hated them. They formed a mob to harm and expel them. But the city clerk said this in response:

‘You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess’ (Acts 19:37).*

Your take-home message?

Do what Paul and the early Christians did: Don’t condemn any other religions. Show respect to everyone, everywhere. From it comes effective evangelism.

Losers: Other Religions (Part 24)

* https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts%2019%3A23-41&version=NIV

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

* Jesus and the Woman at the Well: John 4:1-42: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+4%3A1-42&version=NKJV

** Jesus and the Canaanite Woman with the Demon-Possessed Daughter: Matthew 15:21-28:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2015%3A21-28&version=NIV

Carey Arban