How many times have we heard someone say that? How many times have you asked that question yourself? Typically, the question is the result of someone saying or advocating a position on scripture that is different than our traditional understanding. I believe this is a good question and it gets to the heart of most sermons, bible classes, and bulletin articles. Continue reading “What is he trying to accomplish?”
Anyone who has been a member of the “church of Christ” for any length of time has probably thought about this. It’s an honest and sincere question that deserves an answer. Is salvation about Jesus or is it about me? Continue reading “Is it about Jesus or me?”
Many people think the Bible is a good book, full of interesting children’s stories, etc., but is no better than many good books on the shelf. Friends, we need to realize that not only is the Bible a good book, it is THE Good Book. The Bible makes some incredible claims about itself, that, if true, make it the most important volume man could ever read. Let’s examine just a few of these from 2 Timothy 3:16-17. Continue reading “What Good is the Bible?”
The intelligence of Satan for being able to defeat unwary Christians is frightening. In all honestly, it should cause us to pause and pray every time we think about it. His skills are many, they are varied, and they are always cleverly disguised. He doesn’t attack the strongest points of our life, instead, he attacks the weakest points of our life. Satan will prey on our weaknesses and go for the place that we are struggling. It’s kind of like trying to push down a mighty oak tree. Continue reading “No Victory without God’s Armor!”
Life is filled with endings and beginnings. Every day and year has a beginning and an end. I love this for many reasons but perhaps the greatest reason is that every year will eventually end. No matter how great or bad the year has been, eventually it comes to an end. But, with that ending comes the opportunity for a new beginning. Continue reading “A new beginning.”
I have found that we are good at telling ourselves little lies. These lies are subconscious attempts to help us feel good about what we are doing or attempts to make us feel better about what we are not doing. Continue reading “Actions speak louder than words!”
A couple of weeks ago, we talked about our God and how faithful he is to us. He never turns away from us; never gives up on us, and is always walking this journey of life with us. We truly are blessed to have our God love us so much and want to be near us. Continue reading “The Power of Faith.”
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, you fed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, “Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”
(Written by a former child)
We live in a world where it is an unforgivable sin is to be intolerant of others. Those same people who are quick to point out that someone is “intolerant” are themselves incredibly intolerant of others. They seem to be tolerant of almost anything except Christian values. As soon as someone says they are a Christian or they attend church, there instantly labeled as intolerant.
I think we need to define this word tolerance. The worldly definition of tolerance seems to be “accepting all views as true.” [1] Whereas, Oxford’s dictionary says “showing tolerance (of a plant, animal, or machine), able to endure specified conditions or treatment.” [2]
Is tolerance really about just accepting their views are correct? Does God really expect me to just accept someone’s view as true, just because it’s someone’s view? Truthfully, I can hold to all kinds of ideas about all kinds of things, but just because they are my views does not make them right. Obviously if I hold a certain view I believe it to be right but am I really correct?
I think this gets to the real problem most have with tolerance. We live in a world that does not want anyone to tell them they are wrong. Friends the bible I read says that I cannot just accept everything as true. God expects His followers to question all things (1 Thess. 5:21) and hold to the good. The very words good and bad imply that something’s are right and others wrong. To make matters worse, the world’s use of tolerance violates a simple law of logic. The law states that if we have two contradictory statements there are only three viable options. One is right and the other is wrong or both statements are wrong. We cannot have all contradictory views being correct. If Jesus is not the only way to heaven (John 14:6) then what is the right way?
So are you intolerant of anothers belief simply because they differ from yours? Excuse me but I thought we lived in a country where having an opinion was ok or even desirable. The bible is very clear on this. I must differentiate between what is good and what is bad. But in the process I cannot forget that the same bible tells me to treat people fairly, to love them, and to try to help them find the truth about God and salvation.
True tolerance does not require you to be ignorant and blind to the truth.
Footnotes:
[1] Ted Cabal, Chad Owen Brand, E. Ray Clendenen, Paul
Copan, J.P. Moreland and Doug Powell, The Apologetics Study Bible: Real Questions, Straight
Answers, Stronger Faith (Nashville, TN:
Holman Bible Publishers, 2007). 1882.
[2] Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson, Concise Oxford English Dictionary, 11th ed. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).