Respecting other Religions

Respecting other Religions

Bible: Acts 17:16-34

The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful (2 TIMOTHY 2:24).

In Acts 17 we see an example of how to respect people with other beliefs, without feeling guilty or changing our own beliefs. When Paul came to Athens, he was upset by the statues and images of fake gods he saw all over the place. But he talked with the people there kindly, even using the words of some of their own poets (ACTS 17:28). He didn’t tell his listeners off or make them feel bad. He didn’t criticise what they believed. He simply talked about God’s greatness (VV.24-25). He said that God is actively working in each of our lives so that people will look for Him
themselves and find Him (VV.26-28).

Paul didn’t change the truth to make things easier for himself. He stuck to what he knew of God from His own relationship with Jesus, confidently telling everyone to turn to Him for themselves. He said that God has given Jesus to be the judge of the world, and proved this by bringing Him back to life (VV.29-31).

In our schools and on our streets, we meet more and more people with different religious beliefs. Our relationship with Jesus will stand out most clearly when we avoid arguments, and simply share what we believe with kindness and gentleness. Then we can pray for God to help the people we meet understand who Jesus really is for themselves.

WE DON’T NEED TO ARGUE; WE CAN SIMPLY SHARE WHAT WE’VE LEARNED ABOUT JESUS.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries