I'm A China Dish!

I was reading an article yesterday, once again claiming Christianity to be intolerant.  The support for this? We claim that Jesus is the only way to heaven. Well, according to my Bible...

Jesus answered, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6

I guess I am intolerant. I also believe in absolute truth. That means that truth is truth, no matter what you believe. If it is relavent to each individual, it is no longer truth. Oh, yeah, and I also believe in a particular standard of living, being set apart and holy.
Do you have any china, or special dishware, that maybe has been haded down to you, that you use only on special occasions (or maybe not at all)? I do. I have a set of plates that was my grandmother's grandmother's. They are golden crystal and are about 150 years old. I keep these plates in my China cabinet, so that the world can see them. When they are used, it is for very special occasions and they are handled delicately. Then, when I wash them, I do it very carefully by hand, dry them and put them back into their place. I would never put these beautiful plates into the dishwasher, or use them for everyday eating, or for a bbq.  These plates are special and are handled that way!
As Christians, we are God's beautiful, china dishware!

In a large house there are articles, not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. 2 Timothy 2:20-21

The text surrounding this verse describes the things that Christians should avoid in order to remain set apart and holy. It is worth reading! God expects, and always has expected, His people to be holy. He wants to, like china dishes, set us up for the world to see. We must be pure and true followers of Him, so that when they see us, they see Him. He wants to use us for special work.  He didn't create us for the normal drudgery of this world (for everyday eating)! In order for that to happen, we must be "handwashed" by the Spirit working in our lives. That means we can't "jump in the dishwasher" with all the rest of the dishes! We have to make choices that reflect who we are in Christ. Those who are Christians should be easy to spot. They should look at us and see peace, love, modesty...godliness! And all hints of worldliness should be far from us.

But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:15-16

The issue should always be holiness, never tolerance.
What are your thoughts?