I just read an email from Frank Viola discussing the new environment of “tolerance” that Christians are now facing. What Frank shared hit home with me. First, I need to share the definition of tolerance before I move on.
Tolerance: the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with
On the surface society preaches tolerance and respect for one another. I see bumper stickers, signs and even great looking commercials preaching the message of tolerance. Unfortunately, what I have experience in recent years is anything but tolerant when I am asked about my Christian beliefs and views if they go against the present views of our culture and society. My views are based on Biblical truths that often fly in the face of our present society’s moral beliefs. I am finding that the tolerance that has been preached by many non-Christians actually means the are intolerant of everyone who doesn’t bow to their values and beliefs.
Frank Viola puts the new “tolerance” this way. “If you don’t agree with my beliefs and my value system, then you’re intolerant. “Which being interpreted means: “In the name of tolerance, I’m intolerant of everyone who doesn’t bow to my values and beliefs.” Or “I’m intolerant of everyone except those who agree with me, and in the name of tolerance, I will brand them intolerant.”
How should we deal with this change in culture? We must remember the rules and parameters we live by as believers has not changed simply because society around us has and is changing. The biblical principles of loving our neighbor as yourself, loving others as Jesus loved us (even when we were sinners and opposed to Him) should direct our actions when confronted with intolerance.
When you find that your views come in conflict with another person, we can land in a place where we agree to disagree and not bring it to a place of strong judgement and breaking a relationship apart. After all some of us not long ago may have espoused the same views of the person you now find opposing and judging you.
So, what happened to change our minds? Our Lord Jesus Christ, His Word and Holy Spirit worked the changes in us. For almost all of us that started by another Christian’s love and care for us. Love enough to not give up on the relationship. Love enough to pray for our soul. Love enough to trust in the Lord and His time.
We will find in the future the number of times our Christian views and beliefs come into conflict will most likely increase more each year. Don’t retaliate, but stay the course with how Jesus Christ wishes us to act.
As the poem Mother Theresa had hanging on her wall said.
- People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
- If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway
- If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway
- If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
- What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
- If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
- The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
- Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
- In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.
John
The Simple Pastor 