Tolerance
Introduction. (Isa. 5:20-23) In modern
times there is a great deal of emphasis placed on the subject of tolerance.
Those who are considered to be intolerant are greatly scorned by our society.
In fact intolerance is one of the few things within our culture that it is still
considered acceptable to oppose.
- People
have lost their jobs.
- Disciplinary
action has been taken.
- Those
who are considered to be intolerant have been required to go to counseling
or to sensitivity training in order to improve their perceived
intolerance.
It is rapidly coming to the point that merely
expressing opposition to anything is perceived as intolerance. There is,
however, a contraction in this attitude. Isn’t it intolerant in itself to
oppose intolerance?
The Bible teaches that there is a place for
tolerance. It is accurate to say that Christians should be tolerant of others.
It is also clear, however, that sometimes what is perceived by our culture as
intolerance is in fact the attitude that one must have if he or she is to
believe that there is a God, that the Bible is His revelation, that Jesus is
the Son of God, and that there will be a judgment of our deeds in the end. This
morning I’d like for us to consider the subject of tolerance to consider what
the Bible teaches our attitude should be.
I.
Christians should be tolerant. There are many things about which Christians
should be tolerant.
- We
should be tolerant of each other’s differences (Eph. 4:1-3).
- Not
everyone is interested in the same things. Some people like sports while
others don’t care for it. Some people like one form of entertainment or
relaxation, while others like something completely different.
- Not
everyone looks at things the same way. Some things that are very
important to one person may not be as important to another person.
- Not
everyone expresses their feelings the same way. Some don’t like to share
their emotions. Some are very affectionate. Others feel uncomfortable
showing affection. Either because of things they’ve experienced in their
life, or because they simply feel that some affection should only be
reserved for family.
- Not
everyone looks the same. That’s true whether you’re talking about someone’s
gender, race, age, or background.
- We
should be tolerant of each other’s personalities (1 Cor. 12:18-27). All of
the things we just addressed in terms of personal differences also apply
to personality.
- People
are like snowflakes. I don’t mean by that, that they are
"flaky." I mean it in terms of personal differences.
- No
two people are exactly alike. You can see this in families. Take two
identical twins. They may have the same parents, the same background, and
very similar life experiences, but they are not identical in terms of
personality.
- We
can either see this as a source of frustration or as a unique and
beautiful distinction between all people.
- We
should be tolerant of each other’s financial status (James 2:1-4).
- We
should not look down on someone for his or her humble status, nor exalt someone
else because of his or her wealth.
- If
someone doesn’t have nice clothes, or the newest car, we should not be
intolerant if they don’t have the things we have.
- We
should be tolerant when it comes to matters of judgment (Rom. 14:1-10).
- This
text is not saying that if someone believes they can commit what is
clearly taught in Scripture to be sinful we should tolerate it.
- It
is talking about how we respond to what has been revealed in the world of
God.
- In
matters of judgment concerning how to apply what is taught in Scripture,
or in matters concerning which there is no revelation we must have
patience and tolerance towards one another.
II.
Christians must not be tolerant of...
- Things
that are contrary to the Word of God (2 Cor. 10:4-6).
- Twisting Scripture (2
Pet. 3:14-16).
- False doctrine (1 John
4:1-3).
- This
is part of the work of elders (Titus 1:7-11).
- A different gospel (Gal.
1:6-9).
- A false Christ (2 Cor.
11:2-4).
- To
be tolerant of such things is to share in error (2 John 9-11).
- Unrepentant
sin.
- It
will lead the one outside of Christ to hell (Acts 17:29-31).
- God’s
wrath will come upon the ungodly (Eph. 5:5-7).
- Is a
person a “hater” or “unkind” if he affirms that God condemns homosexuality, sex
outside of marriage, unlawful divorce and remarriage, drinking, drugs,
immodesty, foul language, dishonesty, unfaithfulness in worship? No. He is
loving! He is intolerant of that which God is intolerant.
- It
will lead the Christian to condemnation (1 Cor. 5:1-13).
- It
will make it harder to convert others (Rom. 2:21-24).
- It
could lead us to be lost (1 Cor. 15:53).
Conclusion. We have seen that
while it is true that Christians should be tolerant, it is also clear that
there are some things Christians must not tolerate. May God help us to be as
tolerant was we ought to be in those things we can and ought to tolerate, but
to have the courage and conviction to be intolerant of those things of which He
expects us never to tolerate.