It was a scene for the ages; and if you’ve ever watched the movie version of the Ten Commandments, you probably have the image of a laser-like flame inscribing the commandments on stone tablets etched in your mind. As awesome as the movie scene was, I can’t begin to imagine the real-life version of the experience.

But imagine, if you will, a much less fearful, more politically correct scenario. At God’s invitation, Moses joins Him for the richest-tasting expresso ever as they sit on a ridge overlooking the beautiful landscape below. Feeling somewhat remorseful for the way He handled the Egyptian fiasco, God hands Moses two soft tablets made from fresh clay.

“I don’t want to overstep My bounds,” the Creator of the Universe politely explains. “Nor do I want to say or do anything that might make people feel bad. Therefore, I’ve recorded these Ten Commandments to help you and your people get along better. Really though, they’re more like suggestions so I used fresh clay for this project. If the circumstances warrant, feel free to change them to better suit your cultural preferences.”

Overwhelmed by such an awe-inspiring experience—and pumped from a triple shot of expresso—Moses turns to head back down the mountain to his people. “By the way,” God cheerfully calls out as a final thought, “they displayed a marvelous example of generosity and teamwork by donating their jewelry to fashion a golden calf. I’m so proud of their selflessness, and don’t fret about the fact that they created their own god. Diversity is to be celebrated, and all paths ultimately lead back to Me.”

Moses picks up Joshua who has been dozing along the trail, and the two men soon come upon an intense scene of idolatry and mayhem. Sharing God’s disdain for making people feel bad about themselves, Moses plops down on a rock and begins to rewrite two of the not so politically correct commandments:

 1. “Other gods are okay because all paths ultimately lead back to Me.”

2. “Idols aren’t a problem as long as you treat all gods as equals and display virtuous behavior while creating them.”

If all of this seems absurd, that’s only because it is. In the politically correct eyes of religious pluralism, the unpardonable sin is to shamelessly proclaim the supremacy of one absolute God. No amount of human disdain, however, can undo the truth of those immortal words etched in stone over 30 centuries ago:

 1. “You shall have no other gods before Me.” Exodus 20:3 (NASB)

2. “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth.You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,but showing lovingkindness to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Exodus 20:4-6 (NASB)

Even in the age of grace, God’s commandments cannot be altered by humans. And while I never seek to blaspheme other people’s god(s) or slam their beliefs, I’ve also come to understand that the foundation of true life is built upon the absolute reality of our eternal Creator. Only one path leads to God. Jesus Christ alone is the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:16).

Thankfully, His arms are open wide for all who choose to embrace the less than politically correct truth of His reality.

photo credit: The 10 Commandments via photopin (license)