Dripping Springs Weekly Bulletins

Tolerance! Webster’s American College Dictionary defines “tolerance” with these words: “The disposition to be patient and fair toward those whose opinions or practices differ from one’s own; freedom from bigotry.” Key words in this definition are fair, patient and bigotry. Tolerance defines a mindset in our modern culture, describing some negative attitudes as well as some positive ones. Allow me to go on record that Christians ought to be fair, patient and free from bigotry. The word tolerance should be descriptive of those who follow Christ. Yes, some applications of tolerance are beyond the realm of biblical authority, but when defined as above, tolerance should be an integral part of each of us. Christians have been called upon to live among people whose opinions and practices often differ from ours. There are times—plenty of them—when we must differ plainly and boldly. But even when we “earnestly contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3) we must be patient and fair. Jesus listened to His opponents and often spoke out aggressively against another’s views and practices. But I know of no time in which He was accused of being bigoted and unfair. We believe with all our hearts that Jesus was and is the resurrected Son of God. We believe and practice only that which Christ authorized in worship and daily living. But we must not have an ugly spirit in so doing. The world has seen some of that from “religion,” and it has not been favorably attracted to that mindset. The Bible clearly teaches that homosexual behavior is against the will of God (see Romans 1:24-28, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, Leviticus 20:13 and others). That does not, however, imply that we cannot love their souls and seek to convert them from the error of their ways. Fairness, patience and love—all clear qualities Christians must have—will be our motive to save their souls. We do not condone, and in fact we condemn the hate filled acts that are exhibited against abortionists and homosexuals. That’s not the way to oppose their erroneous behavior. Part of the problem is that some have adopted another definition of tolerance. Some suggest that in order to be tolerant we must accept the views of others. For example, recent efforts have been made in various religious denominations to remove every “negative” comment against any practice. For example: if someone quotes Jesus’ words in John 14:6 it’s a sure sign that person is bigoted and unfair. Yet Jesus said, “No man cometh to the father but by me.” Did Jesus tell the truth? Or do the ways of today’s self-proclaimed “prophets” also lead “to the father”? It is not an act of intolerance to hold strong convictions. And it’s not bigotry to proclaim those convictions. If they are in harmony with scripture they must be taught, and aggressively. But Christians can and should be fair and longsuffering as they do so. Tolerance includes: firmness, fairness and openness of heart toward others. willingness to hear the views of others with an open mind, followed by a comparison with scripture, Acts 17:11. having a foundation of one’s own views and convictions; such coming from God, and not merely man. a patience with others, giving them time to ponder their ways and also compare them with scripture. the willingness to teach what scripture says, not just ridicule the views of others. the mindset that says “What will thou have me to do?”, Acts 9:6. That’s being fair with God’s words. Tolerance does not include: accepting a view just because it is accepted by gentle, kind friends. Truth comes from God, not man, John 17:17. compromise of God’s truth just to avoid controversy. abandoning the authority of God and the sanctity of His ways and practices. Defined properly, tolerance is descriptive of Christians in the Bible. They spread God’s word to a world that did not like what they heard. Still, those Christians did not compromise. It is not intolerant to compare men’s doctrines with scripture. Jesus did it, and we too must do it, with love and tolerance. Carl B. Garner

“The servant of the Lord must not fight, but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition,” 2 Timothy 2:24-25. NKJV