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Being Intolerant
Posted by Brenda Tervoort
I really enjoyed the message, music and fellowship today. Of course that’s nothing new. I always enjoy and am richly blessed by manna?. Today, Pastor Dave was talking about Grace and drawing the line - making a stand - and being intolerant. This brought up a question I’ve had before. Can we be totally intolerant and still show Christ’s enduring love, and unconditional love for His children? I mean - you know - about really serious stuff. I don’t want to be tolerant of bad things, sinful things, but I strongly believe that only by seeing Christ in us, and our showing our love and concern for others, that the barriers of darkness can be broken down. Any thoughts?
Brenda Tervoort
Comments:
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Yes! I agree - it was a challenging message, fantastic worshipful music and great fellowship. Thanks for your thoughts and questions, Brenda.
Love always trumps freedom - remember the principle of I Corinthians 8? We were challenged to answer the question - How do we live our lives where love rules everything we do?
If I desire the very best for every person that God sends into my life, can I love the person despite their beliefs? Can I offer the truth of scripture, earnestly pray for that person, and vigorously seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for the best way to touch their heart? If the answer is yes, can I also trust God with their response?
What examples of “really serious stuff” could be the objects of our intolerance?
Sue SalPosted by Sue and Larry on 08/17 at 09:46 PM -
I guess by “really serious stuff” I meant homosexuality, murderers, rapists, people who persecute others for their faith, people who believe in cults etc.
Posted by on 08/17 at 10:04 PM -
Great questions! I hope I didn’t sound like I was encouraging Christ followers to be intolerant. I was trying to say that we are often VIEWED as being intolerant. The fact is that the love of Christ is available to all people, regardless of race, creed, color, sexual sins, etc. It is our responsibility as Christ followers to show the love of Christ in all those settings to all people. What I was addressing is the notion that, unless you agree that all religions basically teach the same thing, then you must be intolerant. I am often struck by the fact that the people who believe that are some of the most intolerant people I have ever encountered. The “line in the sand” that I spoke of was the decision that each of us must make regarding the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was Jesus himself who declared that He was God, in the flesh, and the ONLY way to gain access to the grace of the Father was through Him. I believe that it is not only possible to maintain that position AND be loving and forgiving, IT IS ESSENTIAL! That is why I am so fond of saying that we are called to be “winsome subversives.” Winsome, ie. engaging and compelling, and subversives ie. we preach a gospel that is destined to bring EVERYTHING under the Lordship of Christ. So let’s press on, loving people, all people, in the name of Christ, and ONLY in the name of Christ. Thanks again for your questions,
DavePosted by on 08/21 at 12:29 PM -
Thanks for insight!
NO - you really made it clear about God and what he means on intolerance.Posted by on 08/21 at 02:32 PM