Every day in the news we see reports of Christians around the world who are taunted, imprisoned, tortured, and murdered because of their profession of faith in Jesus Christ, the son of God. Here is the United States we tolerate insults and discrimination and are told we are narrow-minded and haters if we strictly adhere to Biblical teachings. If we even state our beliefs without any commentary on opposing beliefs we are labeled intolerant.
Maybe we should look at the actual definition of the word intolerant. Dictionary.com gives a definition as “the allowance or sufferance of conduct with which one is not in accord.” That means you accept conduct you disapprove of or disagree with.
But, it seems society is taking this a step further, though. They are not satisfied for Christians to simply tolerate beliefs and behaviors with which we are not in accord. They want us to actually agree with them and celebrate beliefs and behaviors that contradict our beliefs which are founded on the Word of God. They want us to participate in their PRIDE parades, they want us to help pay for medical procedures such as abortion and gender reassignment willingly through our health insurance plans.
President Obama claims to be a Christian, yet he openly supports same-sex marriage, lit up the White House in the rainbow colors of the gay movement, and supports abortion and many other beliefs and behaviors that contradict the Christian foundation of this nation. He even stated in his first inaugural speech that the United States is no longer a Christian nation, but a global nation. Christians are under great pressure to bow to society and dilute our Christian beliefs. The Bible says we are to be in the world but not of the world.
What would Jesus think of his followers taking tolerance to the extreme of celebrating with those who flaunt their sin and disobedience in the face of God? How would the Apostles Peter and Paul react to a world that tried to silence their teachings about how to live the Christian life? Would they be silent so as not to rock the boat? Would they compromise their stand on what sin and repentance to be able to fit in and retain fellowship with those who openly disobey God?
We know we are in the last days. We know that the end times are upon us. We must be vigilant and speak out wisely about what the Word of God says about standing up for Christ. In the book of Revelation, Jesus states that he would rather we were hot or cold. He says that if we are lukewarm he will spew us out of his mouth.
We need to pray diligently (I say this first to myself and then to others). But, then we must take a stand for the Word of God. Only then will we be able to stand before God on the Day of Judgment and know that we are his children, washed clean by the blood of the Lamb.
Where do you stand on tolerance in this last day’s world that we live in?
Mina's Minutes 