Today’s scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:16-21a
Much is said these days about tolerance. We need to tolerate others’ beliefs,
flaws, foibles, idiosyncrasies, and, as Paul writes, foolishness.
Webster’s defines “tolerance” as the “capacity to endure pain
or hardship” (synonyms include endurance, fortitude, and stamina). Verse 20 of
today’s scripture seems to speak to this kind of tolerance: enduring
persecution and suffering.
But verse 19 seems to illustrate the second of Webster’s definition—and what
our society means by tolerance: “sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or
practices differing from or conflicting with one's own; the act of allowing
something.”
While I believe we should be sympathetic and compassionate with all people, no
matter what they believe, I do believe that we who follow Christ must be
careful about “allowing” those beliefs to permeate or meld with our own.
Tolerance doesn’t mean acceptance.
Unfortunately, for many, these terms are interchangeable. This is why many
Christians are jumping on the “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as
you believe” bandwagon. The “all roads lead to heaven” squad. The “do what you
want as long as you don’t hurt anyone” team.
Dangerous territory.
Yes, we need to love others—this is, after all, the second greatest commandment
(Mark 12:31). Yes, we need to show compassion, kindness, and gentleness. Yes, we
need to shine Christ’s light to everyone.
But we cannot—we must not—allow beliefs that are contrary to God’s word to
infiltrate our hearts and souls. We can “tolerate” but we must stand firm in
faith.
Showing posts with label acceptance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label acceptance. Show all posts
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Thursday, April 02, 2015
All the Same (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)
Today's scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
In Christ, we are all the same. Exactly the same.
God sees us equally. He doesn’t see race or gender or socio-economic status. He doesn’t look at age or geography or education. He doesn’t care about how many years we’ve been following Him or what kind of ministry in which we serve.
He just sees us as His children. His dearly-loved children.
And so should we see each other. No one is better than any other in God’s family (we’ll talk more about that in the next couple of days). We’re all brothers and sisters whose goal should be to help others come to faith in Christ.
Our heart should be to reach all people—all people. No matter where they come from or what they’ve done, all people need Jesus. All people need to be confident they can be saved from their sins. That they can spend eternity with Christ.
We cannot pick and choose to whom we share the gospel. Just as God desires that all people come to faith, so should we. And once they’ve come to know Him, we should love each brother and sister equally.
Just as God does.
In Christ, we are all the same. Exactly the same.
God sees us equally. He doesn’t see race or gender or socio-economic status. He doesn’t look at age or geography or education. He doesn’t care about how many years we’ve been following Him or what kind of ministry in which we serve.
He just sees us as His children. His dearly-loved children.
And so should we see each other. No one is better than any other in God’s family (we’ll talk more about that in the next couple of days). We’re all brothers and sisters whose goal should be to help others come to faith in Christ.
Our heart should be to reach all people—all people. No matter where they come from or what they’ve done, all people need Jesus. All people need to be confident they can be saved from their sins. That they can spend eternity with Christ.
We cannot pick and choose to whom we share the gospel. Just as God desires that all people come to faith, so should we. And once they’ve come to know Him, we should love each brother and sister equally.
Just as God does.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Tolerance versus Acceptance (2 Cor. 11:16-21a)
Today’s
scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:16-21a
Much is said these days about tolerance. We need to tolerate others’ beliefs, flaws, foibles, idiosyncrasies, and, as Paul writes, foolishness.
Webster’s defines “tolerance” as the “capacity to endure pain or hardship” (synonyms include endurance, fortitude, and stamina). Verse 20 of today’s scripture seems to speak to this kind of tolerance: enduring persecution and suffering.
But verse 19 (“For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly”) seems to illustrate the second of Webster’s definition—and what our society means by tolerance: “sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own; the act of allowing something.”
While I believe we should be sympathetic and compassionate with all people, no matter what they believe, I do believe that we who follow Christ must be careful about “allowing” those beliefs to permeate or meld with our own. Tolerance doesn’t mean acceptance.
Unfortunately, for many, these terms are interchangeable. This is why many Christians are jumping on the “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe” bandwagon. Joining the “all roads lead to heaven” squad. Cheering for the “do what you want as long as you don’t hurt anyone” team.
Dangerous territory.
Yes, we need to love others—this is, after all, the second greatest commandment (Mark 12:31). Yes, we need to show compassion, kindness, and gentleness. Yes, we need to shine Christ’s light to everyone.
But we cannot—we must not—allow beliefs that are contrary to God’s word to infiltrate our hearts and souls. We can tolerate, but we must stand firm in faith.
Much is said these days about tolerance. We need to tolerate others’ beliefs, flaws, foibles, idiosyncrasies, and, as Paul writes, foolishness.
Webster’s defines “tolerance” as the “capacity to endure pain or hardship” (synonyms include endurance, fortitude, and stamina). Verse 20 of today’s scripture seems to speak to this kind of tolerance: enduring persecution and suffering.
But verse 19 (“For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly”) seems to illustrate the second of Webster’s definition—and what our society means by tolerance: “sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own; the act of allowing something.”
While I believe we should be sympathetic and compassionate with all people, no matter what they believe, I do believe that we who follow Christ must be careful about “allowing” those beliefs to permeate or meld with our own. Tolerance doesn’t mean acceptance.
Unfortunately, for many, these terms are interchangeable. This is why many Christians are jumping on the “it doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you believe” bandwagon. Joining the “all roads lead to heaven” squad. Cheering for the “do what you want as long as you don’t hurt anyone” team.
Dangerous territory.
Yes, we need to love others—this is, after all, the second greatest commandment (Mark 12:31). Yes, we need to show compassion, kindness, and gentleness. Yes, we need to shine Christ’s light to everyone.
But we cannot—we must not—allow beliefs that are contrary to God’s word to infiltrate our hearts and souls. We can tolerate, but we must stand firm in faith.
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