Ezekiel 44:23-24
There have been a few "buzz words" resonating with my spirit, which I want to share with you. I believe that the Lord has been saying to watch for them, expect them, and do not be swayed by them. Why? Because every Christian needs to know what's in store for the Church and things aren't always wrapped in obvious packaging. Remember, there is a thread of truth that runs throughout most false ideas! We need to watch and guard ourselves.
**** If you missed my first four buzz words, you might want to go back a few blogs and read; Consensus, Emerging, Paradigm, and Unity.
TOLERANCEAfter watching an interview on a hit morning show, I find myself stewing (a week or later) over a question from a reporter about Jesus Christ and Christianity. The question :"This Jesus you talk about... this religion... is it a tolerant religion?"
I have to admit that the reply the reporter received was a pretty good one. The guest simply said that God loves everyone; white, black, old, young, gay, straight. This is true! Jesus loves everyone and even had fellowship with "sinners", but I wish the guest would have explained further - there was so much more to say.
What does it mean to be tolerant? The definition of tolerance is - sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one's own ; the act of allowing something. I would say wholeheartedly that Christians DO allow for others to practice/indulge in whatever religion they choose. We believe God made each individual with the power to choose!
Where the lines become blurry for some is when they redefine tolerance as acceptance, agreement, or approval. If you don’t 100% validate, accept, and conform to their way of thinking – then you are a hate monger.
Christians must take a firm stand and draw the line. Although Jesus loves all, He is not tolerant of sin (whoops there I go again judging and being intolerant). Hey, I believe in the law of the land- our governmental law of conduct for living in this country. Without laws and everyone demanding to be able to do what they want whenever they want, we would have chaos! Laws are there for our benefit and protection. Why are Biblical Spiritual laws any different? I'm asking a valid question here!
Why is it so important to some that this world be filled with "tolerance"- or their version of tolerance (especially religious tolerance)? Is it because no one wants to be "told" what to believe or how to act or heaven forbid be held accountable for their actions? If it were any form of religion that isn't the "standard"(Christianity), it's acceptable. Why is Jesus and the Bible so offensive? We'd better not suggest that the Bible is the infallible, authoritative rule for faith and (moral) conduct for our lives- let alone mankind! Whew. That would be intolerant of us! That doesn't mean I'm going to thump you over the head with my Bible or force you to conversion. No, that's your choice whether or not to accept Christ. But I should be free to believe what I believe. You are free to choose what you believe, too. I will tolerate you.
I also believe that this notion of tolerance trickles over and flows from government. For example, we hear a lot in this day and time about bi-partisanship in Congress, yet those who do not get on the bandwagon and totally accept, support, and embrace whatever is being shoved down their throats are labeled “divisive” . Whoa! Those in Washington that actually have a backbone and don’t cave under the scare tactics of the consensus are viciously attacked in the media and in the opposing ranks of Congress. The façade of bi-partisanship is trumped by a liberal left agenda motivated to get their own way rather than out of a deep desire for the free exchange of ideas.
There is a hatred arising for Conservatives who seem to “get in the way” of the liberal agenda. Things are being pushed through that according to most statistics are NOT the view of the people. We are moving beyond the real meaning of tolerance – allowing others the freedom to think, feel, act, or believe as they want into some scary territory. It reminds me of the Star Trek episodes with the Borg- “We are Borg. You will be assimilated.”
Now let’s take a look at tolerance in religion. If you ask me, it is Christianity (not other religions) that is being persecuted in current times. I am seeing more frequent jabs in the news lately about Christianity not being tolerant... some even going as far to say that Christianity is a close cousin to Islamic extremists. Where do people get off making such erroneous conjectures as if they were fact??? Matthew 10:22a "And you will be hated by all men for My name's sake". Go see the movie "Jesus Camp" for a real eye opener!
It's OK for people to talk about God, but don't you ever dare to mention the name of Jesus Christ. When you speak of God, it doesn't matter what religion you are because they can all be lumped together under the heading "Spirituality"- it's an ecumenical nightmare. If the Bible did not include Jesus, then the naysayers might have a valid point, but we are called Christians for one reason and one reason alone.... Jesus Christ. Remove Him from the equation, and you are left with ... what? Even in the Old Testament (of course you have to believe in the Bible to believe this), God was "defined". He wasn't just any God or one of many gods. In fact, when Moses wrote the law- the 10 Commandments, #1 (yes, #1 so it must be pretty important) - YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME!
This new view of tolerance is even being promoted within the walls of the church. It's come as you are - we'll accept you as you are - and if you don't transform, that's okay too. We'll tell you how you can prosper, have success, and live your best life now, but we'll leave out the fire and brimstone. We won't even talk about Jesus dying on the cross or sin. Those are too controversial and no one wants to hear that. You can be however you like and we'll give you a watered down version of the Bible. We'll pick and choose what we will feed you from the Word based on what you like to hear and what gets us the best response - especially when it comes to giving us your money. You don't have to be faithful and certainly not accountable. We'll live and let live.
Folks, we are in danger when we start accepting things that are contrary to the Word of God. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 tells us, "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." We are also told in 1 Timothy 4:1, "The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons." Then again in 2 Timothy 4:3, "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear."
We would be wise to heed the Word, "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." 1 Timothy 4:6
As we head toward a one world government and one world religion, we must realize that this message of tolerance is not really one of tolerance at all. It’s actually going to be the exact opposite!
I hope anyone out there reading this does acknowledge that we are made (physical) body, soul, and spirit. We have a spirit to nurture and it our job to decide what is truth and to live it.
I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe in the triune Godhead. I believe in the Bible. I have many other Christian based beliefs, too. You can read about them on my home page. You don't have to like me, befriend me, agree with me, talk with me, or have lunch with me to tolerate me. AND vice versa!
I have the freedom to say it, to write about it, and to talk about it openly. If you don't agree that I have a right to my faith and beliefs, then YOU are INTOLERANT!
Learn the tricks of "TOLERANCE" thinking:- Using the consensus as a weapon. If every one's jumping in the river - that's your first red flag
- desensitizing you with ideas and goals that look good on the surface, but are contrary to God's will/Word (especially via media)
- conflicting your Christian/moral beliefs with what is socially acceptable or what the consensus deems as "right"
- trying to convert your emotions will, mind, and spirit by making you accept what you might be in conflict with
True tolerance is a godly characteristic that should be embraced. The message of modern tolerance, however, is not tolerance at all - it is conformity. Those who have used the word (in this modern definition) are actually abusing it- simply trying to package their motivations into less threatening terms. We must be alert to its dangers and pitfalls and warn others!
"He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." Titus 1:9
