The Age of Tolerance

Some Behave Line There is No Other Sin but Lack of Tolerance

If I had to describe this period in our history in two or three words I would say we are living in the “Age of Tolerance.” I believe there are vast numbers of people who are convinced that the worst sin in the world is the sin of intolerance. In fact, I am convinced that there are some who believe there is no other sin but lack of tolerance!

Judge Righteous Judgment

These are the people who are always quoting the words of Jesus, “Judge not that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1), while ignoring another of His statements, “Judge not according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment” (John 7:24). I hasten to point out that the two statements are not contradictory. In the first He was confronting the hypocrisy of one who condemns others while being guilty of the same or greater sins himself. In the latter, His statement was an indictment of those who were quick to condemn Him as a law breaker for healing on the Sabbath, yet found no fault with circumcising a baby on the Sabbath. The Sabbath law did not prohibit doing good on the Sabbath. Judgment should not be hypocritical.

We Must Make Judgments

There is not an area of life where we do not have to make judgments. We must make judgments in the voting booth, the grocery store, the car lot, and even the clothes closet. We understand the need to make such judgments in every area of life but religion. Here we are told by socienty that it really doesn’t matter what religion we choose, and we dare not be critical of and must be have tolerance for the choices of others. Further, it is argued that moral and ethical matters are all relative. To suggest anything else is to be labeled as lacking tolerance and being judgmental.

Jesus Warned of False Teachers

If that is the case, then Jesus was was judgmental and lacked tolerance. He warned of false teachers whom he labeled “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7:15). He then urged his disciple to examine their “fruit” to determine the validity of their message (Matthew 7:16-20). One cannot do that without making judgments. These judgments are not determined by our will, but by God’s word. When I say that adultery, fornication, and homosexuality are sinful, I am not judging! I am only repeating what God’s Word says (1 Corinthians 6:9, 10). Cries for tolerance (acceptance) of sin will fall on deaf ears when we are attuned to the word of God. I am certainly not advocating that sinners be abused, maligned, or discriminated against. I am simply pleading for them to abandon their sin and embrace the Savior. Call me intolerant if you like. I have no problem with that label when it comes to sin. As Christians we must hate sin while loving sinners.