As I was leaving a coffee shop today I was stopped by a person who professes to be a believer in Jesus Christ.  I have had many conversations with this person in the fast regarding Christianity.  However, today, our conversation was very different than all of our previous ones.  Somehow he began talking about Catholics, Buddhists, Christians and a few other religions and then all of a sudden, he said “it’s a good thing they all believe something because that is all that matters.”  I then gave him a , “wait, what did you just say?” kind of look.  I then proceeded to say, but you know that all those religions are not the same.  He then returned my look with his own dumbfounded look.  I continued by saying,  if what Jesus said is true, “I am the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but through Me”, then all those religions are wrong except for Christianity (John 14:6).  

He quickly changed the subject, we talked for a few more minutes, and then I left.  But as I left, I could not help but think, “how many professing Christians gather every week with the church and think that there is no real difference between Christianity and other religions?  How many professing Christians think that as long as you believe in something, then that is all that matters?”  

As I have continued to ponder those questions I am horrified to think that the number may be very large.  These questions have in turn made me think deeply about how I preach and generally talk about Christianity.  Do I talk to others (whether preaching, in a coffee shop, or wherever) in way that could be interpreted that all religions are the same?  Am I am clear that Christianity is different?  Am I clear in communicating that the claims of Jesus are exclusive?  Do I back away from presenting the truth  in order to prevent waves in a relationship?

What is clear, is that there are many people who profess to believe in Jesus Christ who are not aware of what the really means.  And if these people are telling others about Christianity, then there are continuing to muddy the water and causing great confusion.  

As Christians we must be bold and clear in communicating that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that only by faith in Him are we saved.  There is no other religion that can bring us into a right relationship with God, the Father.  And we must be clear that there are extreme consequences for rejecting the grace of Jesus Christ.  We must not hesitate in this, the water are already muddied.  Let us with love and by God’s grace tell others with clarity, who Jesus is and what He has done.