TOLERANCE is Not WISHY-WASHINESS

Many, in the world, view themselves as “tolerant”, meaning, “I accept people for who they are without passing judgment on any action or lifestyle choice.” But are we to accept any and all lifestyles?

It’s not only the Bible that clearly delineates some attitudes, or lifestyles as sinful and displeasing. In any family, parents have a set of guidelines and values that they want their children to adhere to, regardless of what the neighbors have to say about it.

Should parents who hold such values for their children such as “no fighting, no lying, no stealing, no gossiping, etc.”, be viewed as “intolerant,” “bigoted,” or “narrow-minded”? Should parents who don’t want their daughter dating before a certain age, or their son not to do drugs or alcohol be viewed as intolerant? Should parents who don’t approve of drunken teenagers’ parties in their house be viewed as bigoted? Ironically, those who claim to be the most “tolerant” are the least tolerant of Christian values and virtues.

Tolerance today is basically the approval of all “political correctness” propagated by the media or the government. Whatever the news media says or whatever laws governments pass should be accepted by all. Really? Peter stood up when he was told never to preach in the name of Jesus. He said, “You tell me, should we obey God or should we obey man?” (Acts 5:29)

The world standards of tolerance may want to insist on children getting vaccinated without even the parents’ approval or involvement. Does tolerance make it so that parents should look the other way and comply without complaint?

Whatever pressure Christians  are under, we should know WHO we choose to obey. When there is a conflict between Christian values and governmental rules or mandates being imposed upon us, there will naturally be some conflict if, as Christians, we choose to stand against those imposed “rules”, however stringent.

Biblical values define a right and a wrong, and no amount of compromise or political correctness should change that. If “tolerance” leaves no room for difference of values, that’s not tolerance.

Tolerance does have an absolute definition. It can mean, “I love you even though I do not agree with your stance or your value on a specific issue.” However, it cannot mean, “It’s okay, I’ll accept your differing values because I love you.” That’s compromise. If I accept you driving drunk under the guise that you’re my friend, that’s not tolerance, that’s compromise. 

Would you accept a judge if he said, “I  ‘tolerate’ lying in my courtroom, even though I don’t personally like it.”

Tolerance cannot be defined as a “lack of absolute truth, or standard”. Or, “whatever floats your boat” is fine with me. Would you accept the vendor at the market to charge you for two pounds of beef instead of one, when he says, “It’s okay, I tolerate a little room for error.”

Even though Christianity should tolerate sinners, it should not mean that we tolerate sin. There’s a difference. Tolerating sin is compromise. Tolerating the sinner is love and understanding, but not without the conviction of explaining that sin is sin.

On the other hand, truth and love can walk hand in hand. Should conflict arise between godly convictions and worldly tolerance? We as Christians must demonstrate the love and the righteousness of Jesus.

Jesus gave some specific guidelines as to how to handle the sinner even when he’s in the wrong. He said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:38–48).

Paul, the apostle, adds, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col 3:12).

Our conduct should be such: “That those who speak maliciously against our good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander” (1 Pet 3:16).

Let’s tolerate the wrongdoer, not the wrongDOING. Let’s show love and compassion, along with truth.