I find it terribly interesting and worrisome that we now live in a society where every decision made and statement given is criticized and examined because of its potential intolerance. Regardless of pure motives, people are generally grouped into specific intolerant categories. These categories then define people and cause division over political views, social status, religion, and many other areas of life. I think the church is in a critical situation working with people who are in critical condition who need to hear about the salvation Jesus offers and the wisdom He provides through His word.
Should there be positions and views that we as Christ-followers do not tolerate? I believe so. However, the church today is in the midst of a crisis. Much of society and the church have experienced moral declension as God has seemingly become less and less relevant. Self-sufficiency and a lack of perceived need both cause people to think less and less of God and more and more of self. The result is a cruel reality. We think less of others. What does this have to do with tolerance? The church must answer the following questions. How do we display intolerance of sin, acceptance of those who sin, and how do we share the gospel through that acceptance?
Here are a few thoughts.
People without Christ act like people without Christ.
Churches have the tendency to attract a certain kind of person. I guess you could call it a target audience. Most churches tend to fall into specific categories. You have the Sunday morning coat and tie church, business casual church, golf shirt church, jeans church, t-shirt church, come as you are church, biker church, cowboy church, flip flop church, shock factor church, liturgical church, contemporary church, modern church, tattoo church, piercing church, square dance church, no music church, bluegrass church, and the traditional church. Whether or not your attenders wear a tie or flip flops, there is a better than average chance that some of them are living a life without Christ. But, we tend to be more tolerant when others dress like us, look like us, talk like us, and act like us. However, when one of those factors changes, pride enters into the equation and intolerance is the result. If we really understand the need of the lost (salvation) and the need of the saved (discipleship) how can anything deter our intentional friendships for the purpose of sharing the gospel and mentoring others?
People without Christ need Christ.
People without Christ usually do not realize their need for Christ. Do you know who realizes the need? Christ-followers do. That’s why it is sometimes difficult to reason with people about Christ. Until they realize their need for a Savior, they will never submit to the Savior. Jesus said in John 6:44, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws Him.” People first realize their need for a Savior because the Father begins to draw them to Himself. It is an amazing miracle of God that begins in the heart of God and moves quickly to a person’s heart. However, the perception a person has about Jesus often begins with what he sees from other Christ-followers. This is why it is so important for us to remain vigilant to live a life that honors Christ every second of every minute of every day. This is why it is so important to express tolerance of others without Christ, while at the same time living a life above reproach. I’m not saying to agree with the sin, but to receive the one who is lost by living a life that points them to Christ. Condemnation usually never produces conversion. However, tolerance of sin is a result of a low view of God and His word. It is a balancing act the church must embrace.
Jesus gives us a good example. He called Matthew, an infamous tax collector, to follow Him. Tax collectors in those days made their living by charging a higher toll than the law required for moving goods by land or sea. This was Matthew. He would take whatever he could get. In fact, good Jews would never associate with a tax collector…..not even in private. This made the association with Matthew even more important. Jesus addressed his concern in Luke 5:32, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” We see from this that Jesus was about breaking down traditional barriers that others would not cross. However, Jesus was also clear that once a person gives their life to Christ, there is a new expectation.
People with Christ need Christ.
This new expectation is holiness. No exceptions. No slacking! Holiness is developed through a systematic study of scripture, fervent prayer, understanding God’s purpose for our lives, and living it out. I am convinced that people fail to live out Matthew 5:16 because they never fell in love with the Savior. People who love Jesus love others. People who understand Jesus’ unconditional love also express unconditional love for others. How are you doing in this area? Is your love for Christ evident in your love for others?
What’s the big deal? Tolerance is a buzzword in today’s society that gives people license to continue in sin without consequence. Let me remind you that God is just and provides justice. It is our job as Christ-followers to help people see the difference between living a life in sin and living a life with the Savior. How will you live your life to make a difference? Insensitive…or…Encouraging?