Sunday, August 5, 2012
Christians and Tolerance - 2
Having defined what tolerance is and where it is needed and what we cannot tolerate, we now turn our attentions to some godly attitudes in dealing with those we disagree with (both as brethren and outside the body).
I.
Godly attitudes toward
those you disagree with, including the ungodly –
a.
STAND UP for what is
right! Fight for His cause!
We need courage -1 Cor. 16:13 – stand fast in the faith, be brave, be
strong.
Rev. 2:10, the church at Ephesus was told to not fear.
Matt. 10:28, Don’t fear man that can only kill the body, rather fear
God, who can cast into hell.
Eph. 6:13-14 – stand with “the gospel armor” equipping you.
b.
In the name of
tolerance, do NOT:
i.
Compromise the truth!
NEVER sell out what
God’s word says. Far too
many today will change their convictions in order to be “less
offensive”, especially when it becomes personal – i.e. MDR, unfaithful
family members, maybe even homosexuality, etc.
ii.
Ignore the issues – bury our head in the sand. Oftentimes, brethren say nothing while God
and His word are maligned.
We CANNOT do that! Problems
NEVER go away when you simply ignore them!
They usually fester and get worse!
The apathy of our society (and some of churches) is testimony to
this truth!
iii.
Retaliate –
when the ungodly malign you and treat you hatefully, don’t get in the
mud and wrestling with them.
Keep yourself pure! We will
see this as we examine the godly attitude!
c.
Realize that there is a
difference between sin and the sinner.
And depending on the sinner determines how we deal with them (we
deal with sinning brethren differently than unbelievers – cf. 1 Cor.
5:9-11, 2 Thess. 3:14-15).
This is where the confusion often comes in – on both sides!
Sometimes we are accused of hate, when we are simply standing
upon our convictions. But
sometimes, because we detest sinful conduct so much, we take it out on
the sinner with ungodly attitudes!
That is what we need to avoid!
d.
Realize the eternal
destiny of that soul and act accordingly! – 1 Cor. 6:9, Rev. 21:8, Gal.
5:19-21, etc. The grip that
sin has on the lives of the worldly ought to grieve us.
And as such, like Paul, we need to look for opportunities to teach them
– 2 Cor. 5:11, 1 Cor. 9:19, 22 – all things to all men!
Also 1 Cor. 10:32-33.
Jesus also set this example.
In Matt. 20:26-28, Jesus teaching His disciples to be humble and serve
one another said, “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but
to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
e.
Some passages (rules) to
consider:
i.
Matt. 10:16
- Be wise as serpents, harmless as doves.
Jesus speaks of sending out His disciples, as sheep in the midst
of wolves. His instructions
were to be alert (sly) and think through what you say and do, yet strive
to accomplish your goal with the least amount of damage.
Paul said in
Col. 4:5-6, “Walk in
wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that
you may know how to answer each one.”
In this text, Paul tells us to use wisdom and THINK before you
speak.
AN example of this is found in the events of this past week.
A gospel preacher made some suggestions in dealing with
protesters at Chick-fil-a if you see them.
He said:
1.
DON’T be hateful and
yell
2.
Offer to buy them
something (do good to others, even the ungodly)
3.
Ask them if they will
sit down and talk with you.
Seeking to engage in REAL conversation.
4.
Ask if they will allow
you to explain your views:
5.
Ask questions with
kindness. For example (with
same-sex marriage debate): Should there be boundaries with marriage at
all? What about marrying
animals or children? If they
say such is wrong, then they have acknowledged boundaries!
Ask, should opposition be equated to hatred?
If they say “no”, ask, “Then why are we being accused of hate?”
If they say, “yes”, ask, “Are you not admitting that you hate us?
ii.
Eph. 4:2 –
“I therefore, the prisoner of the
Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were
called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing
with one another in love…”
Yes, Paul is here speaking of the way brethren are to treat one
another, but the attitude would apply in dealing with all
(BTW, one reason I am presenting these lessons is because I see the need
for application of these things AS BRETHREN in dealing with our
differences).
iii.
Matthew 7:12 – the golden rule. ALWAYS
think of this before you speak or act against someone!
How would you want to be treated if “the shoe were on the other
foot”? Be honest!
NOTE: WE are not saying to act
in kind as they have treated you, but as you WOULD WANT to be treated in
that circumstance. How many
problems could be resolved or prevented if we would just keep this in
mind.
iv.
1 Cor. 13:1-7
– just a simple reading of this gives qualities we need in all that we do
-
Long-suffering, kindness, no
arrogance, no rudeness, no self-seeking praise, bearing and believing
all things, etc.
v.
1 Pet. 3:8-12 – a good summary of our conduct!
vi.
Rom. 12:18-21 - Let God render final judgment!
f.
As we can see, there are
MANY passages and principles to apply when we deal with those of the
world, especially when confronted about our faith!
Do
NOT get me wrong! One’s
sinful behavior does NOT condone a hateful (i.e. unloving) response!
Friends, souls are dying every day that will spend eternity separated
from God. It will be
agonizing and tragic. It
will happen because of sin (Rom. 6:23).
The only thing that can free one from those sins is the blood of
Jesus that is revealed in His word (John 8:32).
If we see a soul in danger of eternal condemnation, we ought to
do what we can to deliver that soul from such a terrible fate (2 Cor.
5:11). You do NOT do that by
preaching “tolerance.” You
do that by preaching and living the truth (Matt. 5:16).
Let us stand with God and let “the
chips fall where they may.”