What does it mean to be tolerant? Are you too tolerant? Is tolerance a biblical virtue? Let me share with you what I learned about how tolerance in the wrong things destroys hope.
The dictionary defines tolerance as the ability or willingness to allow the existence, occurrence, or practice of (something that one does not necessarily like or agree with) without interference. I do not believe that is how it is currently being used in society today. It seems to me that they have decided that tolerance is acceptance or more likely approval. I can tolerate someone’s behavior given the dictionary’s definition but I cannot tolerate someone’s behavior that the world defines as approval. It is that “tolerance” that destroys hope.
I have found that the Bible is very clear that there are somethings that are right (righteousness) and somethings that are wrong (sin). I also find that God has a strong position about right and wrong. Proverbs 1715 says, “He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the Lord.” (ESV) Romans 1:32 I believe makes a very strong statement against tolerance as the world defines it. “Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.” (ESV) Also John writes about God’s view about the tolerant behavior of the Church of Pergamum in Revelation 2:14-16, “But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the sons of Israel, so that they might eat food sacrificed to idols and practice sexual immorality. So also you have some who hold the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Therefore repent. If not, I will come to you soon and war against them with the sword of my mouth.” (ESV) Pastor Troy Dobbs spoke about this passage in a sermon. It is also clear that I should love what is righteous and hate what is evil and not tolerate what is evil.
It is clear though that we should not tolerate sin, it is also clear that we should strive to accept the person who sins. I believe that Hebrews 12:14 captures this sentiment very well, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” (ESV) Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 2:22-26 about how to behave with people we believe are living an ungodly life style it says, “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (ESV) So I must stand firmly on the Word of God against all sin but I must intern reach out to those who sin. Using a common Christian cliché “I must hate the sin but love the sinner”
If you do not already have a relationship with Jesus which will assist you in standing firm and be intolerant of sin which destroys hope. It is only through this relationship that I have the strength to stand firm and have hope. Here is how.
I pray you stand firmly on God’s Word it is our only true source of hope. If we become tolerant and call what God calls evil good or if we call evil what God calls good our hope will be destroyed. God cares so much for you He promises to bring change to your life. It is that relationship that solves the problem of sin and brings us hope in the present and the future. I would also encourage you to seek Jesus for He is the only opportunity there is to have eternal life. This is to me the greatest source of hope. In doing so, I believe we will have hope and joy in our everyday lives. Understanding how Jesus Christ grants us access to eternal life, allows us to live in hope. “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” John 17:3 (ESV) At the same time understanding you will live eternally knowing the only true God and Jesus Christ will also bring you the greatest hope. Because of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, all of our sins were satisfied and the penalty for them was paid. His payment satisfies all my sins from the past, the present and in the future. My penalty and yours was satisfied on the cross by the death of Jesus, God’s greatest act of love and wrath, who became sin for me and you. It was also God’s greatest act of faithfulness because “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (ESV) Because holiness shows us, we need to believe in Jesus. I hope that you join me in helping others to choose Jesus.
If you have not read my previous blogs, you can find them here. You can watch a book trailer about my book. You can find my book, Hope Amid Hopelessness: Our Abba Father Provides a Way Through Mental Illness here. eBook or Audiobook versions can be found at Westbow Press or Christianbook.com at Amazon or Google.
I mentioned that I was going through a difficult time right now. If you are interested in what I am going through you can read about it here.
