Saturday, February 26, 2011

Your Opinion on Tolerance?

So what's your opinion of tolerance? I've come across many Christians who equate showing Christ's love to being tolerant of everyone else's beliefs. Is that really the case, though? What can we learn from the love of Christ? It doesn't take much reading of God's Word to see that He isn't tolerant of sin. For example, when Jesus saw the Jews buying and selling in the temple, what did He do?

John 2:15 When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables.

That doesn't sound to me like Jesus was being tolerant of their view, does it?! And we know that Jesus was acting in love, because He is one with the Father, and "God is love" (I John 4:8). Check out Christ's tolerance of the Pharisees' sin in this Scripture:

John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

Wait a minute! Jesus just told the Pharisees that they are just like their murderous father! Shouldn't He be tolerant of their beliefs even though they are wrong?

Ephesians 5:11-13 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.

God is telling us that He wants us to expose the darkness of this world. How do we do that while being tolerant of others' beliefs and without stepping on people's toes? Others use the excuse that we need to be tolerant of others because everyone is right. However, Jesus said:

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

If you ask me, that doesn't leave a whole lot of room for anyone else, does it? We need to be careful to make sure our opinion of any topic lines up with the truth of God's Word (Jesus, while praying to the Father, said, "Your word is truth." John 17:17).

I realize that I didn't go into a whole lot of detail, but I wanted to make that point.

14 comments:

  1. Good point! :) I'm learning about this right now, so it's a coincidence that you posted about this! Congrats on the new blog, btw! It's really cool! ;)

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  2. Very good! People who want tolerance often mean they want to be able to do whatever they want without criticism. But this post points out that sin is nothing to tolerate. Keep up the good work on your posts!

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  3. Thanks, guys! I appreciate your comments! :)

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  4. Hmm.. I think tolerance is the wrong word. Kind of like love the sinner, hate the sin.. I have to love the people with different beliefs, but always stand firm in my own, and not be all wishy washy. Even among other Christians - what I believe is often considered wrong in their eyes and hearts. I love that they pray for me instead of condemning me.

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  5. Yeah, I agree. Tolerance is used by many people today to mean accept what others believe, regardless of it's truth.
    However, we must also remember, as Hebrews 3:13 says, "but exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin." We should not condemn others for their sin, but we must remind them of the truth. For example, if a blind person is walking toward a cliff, it would be wrong for us not to tell them where they're going before they fall.
    Thanks for commenting!

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  6. HeY,
    This is very interestiing and a Great point!
    Thanks for posting it! :)

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  7. Thanks, guys! I very much appreciate your comments!

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  8. This is really good, Mike! To add to what you've said here, I would like to point out that Jesus also called the Pharisees a "brood of vipers," yet we know that everything that He did was out of love. I think that to merely tolerate people is to not really show love at all -- because if we don't speak the truth, people will not see the error of their ways and they will end up in hell. How would that be loving of us to know that this person is sinning and to just go along with their sin because we don't want to make any waves?

    There is also the flip-side to tolerance --"Tolerance" tolerates anything (even other religions), except Christianity. Those same people who claim to be tolerant of everything turn around and attack Christians for being "intolerant" of their beliefs -- when in fact, THEY are the ones being intolerant of Christianity! If find that to be a logical fallacy!

    Good post, Mike! Keep up the good work!

    ~ Miss S.

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  9. Good jon Mike the Man.. Hope to read your next article.. May God Bless you always.. :) im Louie, your facebook friend hahhaa

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  10. Interesting points. I see tolerance preached and then the same people turn around and bash another group. Tolerance appears to be a wishy washy word. It depends on the situation and the discussion whether or not I say anything or not. Online, these discussions get ugly really fast. In person, sometimes an intelligent conversation can be had, if both parties are willing. I won't get into a heated argument with folks anymore because it usually does no good. I speak when I feel the holy spirit lead.

    I saw that you entered the contest to win a copy of my ebook, How I Forgave My Molester, at A Glimpse of Beautiful. Would you like a free copy to review? Let me know! It's a quick read.

    Blessings,
    Mel
    Please feel free to stop by: Trailing After God

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  11. Mel, I totally agree! People use that word to justify themselves of not considering an opposing view. But, as you said, we must listen to the Holy Spirit before getting into an argument.

    I would be happy to review your book for you! If you want, you can send it to my email: Mike@Just2techy.com

    Thanks for commenting!

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I love to hear your feedback on my posts! :)