Tolerance and the Christian! |

With our culture and the world pushing tolerance, it’s important we ask ourselves: What is tolerance? What does the Bible say about tolerance? Should the Christian embrace tolerance?

So, I would like to address this huge issue we all grapple with. First, let me say this… whatever issues we’re facing and no matter what the popular opinion is (even among Christians), believers should ALWAYS filter everything through the Bible. In other words, we should base our opinions and our beliefs on what the Bible says – what is at the heart of our God.

And one issue that seems to be clobbering us in the face on a daily basis is tolerance.

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What is tolerance?

First, it’s important we know the definition of truth: conformity with fact or reality; a verified or undisputed fact.

Now on to tolerance: a fair objective and permissive attitude toward opinions, beliefs and practices that differ from ones own. Our culture seems to hold tight to the idea we can only love someone fully if we accept everything about them. And we can only accept someone if we acknowledge their beliefs as equal as our own.

The world says that tolerance must override truth. But here’s the sad reality: believers are buying into this. More and more churches are demonstrating tolerance rather than standing on the side of truth.

And those who stand for truth are often branded as narrow-minded, intolerant, and judgmental.

Now let’s look at what the Bible says (or doesn’t say) about tolerance…

Jesus, the Bible, and tolerance!

Guess what? Tolerance is never taught in the Bible. In fact, Jesus was labeled intolerant. You may have never thought about it, but Jesus was narrow-minded about many issues. Hence, there wasn’t another view or another way. Only one! Let’s look at a few of the things Jesus was intolerant towards:

Salvation!

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Hence, all other ways are no way at all.

We read in Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in NO ONE else, for there is NO other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Self-centerdness!

Jesus made it very clear what it means to be His follower: “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”

The world tells us that we are free to live any way we want – whatever makes us happy. Jesus says something completely different. We are to deny ourselves, our wants and desires for the greater good. We are to seek His will for our lives, no matter what that is.

Sin!

The Bible teaches us that we are to be tolerant toward the sinner, but not the sin. In John 8, Jesus was confronted with an angry crowd of religious leaders and a woman caught in adultery. Jesus demonstrated His absolute authority by getting all of her accusers to walk away. In the end, Jesus told this sinful woman to “go now and leave your life of sin” (Acts 8:11).

When King David sinned with Bathsheba, the prophet Nathan came to him with a message from God. God asked him, “Why did you despise my word by doing what I considered evil? (2 Samuel 12:9).”

The prophets were always telling the people to repent. Isaiah said, “Wash and make yourself clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight. Stop doing wrong” (Isaiah 1:16).

James writes: “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin” (James 4:17)!

So if Jesus (or the Bible) doesn’t teach tolerance, what do they teach? LOVE! But love without accepting false beliefs. The last point might give us an idea of how love and tolerance differ from one another.

Tolerance vs. Love!

Tolerance: We are to put up with people.
Love: We are to reach out and help people.

Tolerance: Ignores sin.
Love: Jesus came to this earth to deal with sin. He died a horrible death to take away sin.

Tolerance: You turn your back so you don’t have to take a personal risk.
Love: You put yourself on the line and sacrifice your self-interest for the sake of someone else.

Love: Warning others about the consequences of sin.
Tolerance: Keeping your mouth shut.

So as you see, love is harder than tolerance. But if we are to stand on the side of truth, we need to choose LOVE every time, not tolerance.

I hope you gained some valuable information from today’s post. I also hope you’ll pass it on.

Blessings,