| TOLERANCE: WHAT'S YOUR DEFINITION? |
Why did Pilate walk away from Jesus after asking him the all important question "What is truth"? Maybe he wasn't ready to accept the answer or possibly he didn't believe this uncomely man before him could possess such great Truth. Through the eyes of this carnal minded Judean governor, Jesus-the King of Kings-looked like a weak, so called religious leader who had no power against the mighty Roman government.
On the other hand, Pilate may have thought, "There's no such thing as truth" or "Truth is whatever you want to believe it is". Mankind has searched for freedom in his soul since the 'fall' but the majority have not searched in truth (which is in Jesus). They look for signs or philosophies in all the wrong places. And then (usually) they choose whatever belief system that suits their lifestyle or own opinions.
1Corinthians 1:22-31 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
That no flesh should glory in his presence.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
The Jews believed that they had the market on wisdom. In a sense they did if they'd received the Word that God had already given them. Why? Because the Old Testament contained the prophecies about the coming Messiah-Jesus Christ. Since the Jews thought they already knew it all, they sought for signs. But no matter how many signs Jesus manifest while on earth it was never enough for the unbelieving Jews. And no matter how many times the unbelieving Gentiles (or Greeks) heard the Gospel preached by Paul and the other apostles, they weren't satisfied with the wisdom of the truth. 2Ti 3:7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Today, we Christians who hold to the wisdom taught by Jesus, are considered the foolish, and despised people of the world. We are labeled intolerant bigots by many unbelievers. Why? Because we stand on what we believe according to the Bible. Because we are wise and bold enough to speak God's truth in love. Because we care about everyone's soul and want them to be free of the bondage sin brings into their lives. And Satan, the arch enemy of mankind, hates it (the truth) and us!
Let's look at the word 'intolerant'. Here are a few definitions:
@dictionary.com-
lack of tolerance; unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect opinions or beliefs contrary to one's own.
2. unwillingness or refusal to tolerate or respect persons of a different social group, especially members of a minority group.
3. incapacity or indisposition to bear or endure: intolerance to heat.
Now let's look at the definition for tolerance in Webster's New American Dictionary (1995)-The act or practice of tolerating; esp : sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from one's own.
Now, using the intolerance definition, we can assume that not respecting (valuing) others rights to their own beliefs is the same thing. But this perspective changes when we examine the tolerance definition because it says that we should have sympathy for or indulge (let have free rein) other's beliefs or practices. Isn't it obvious how the meaning of tolerance can be distorted. The same goes for intolerance also. 'Intolerant' Christians are people who disagree with others because we believe what Jesus' Word says is true and we believe the opposite is false. Absolute truth does exist.
If everyone's beliefs and opinions had free rein in this world what would be left of civilization? of humanity? of the earth? For instance, what if sharia law would replace our Constitution? As if that thought isn't scary enough-what if children had free rein at home, at school, on the internet, and beyond? Wait! In this overly permissive society this is close to actualization already. Just as we don't need to over indulge our youth we must not sympathize with or indulge those who choose to flaunt their ungodly beliefs and sins as truth and good.
Isaiah 5:20-21 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
No, I will not indulge the choice of pregnant women to murder their unborn children.
No, I will not agree with homosexuals that their 'legalized marriage' makes them just like a married man and woman.
And no, I'll never declare that Jews, Muslims, and Christians worship the same God!
And if you are a true child of God then you will do the same.
(Romans 1:18 KJV) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
(Romans 1:25 KJV) Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
(Romans 2:2 KJV) But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
(1 Corinthians 13:6 KJV) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
(2 Corinthians 4:2 KJV) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
(Colossians 1:5 KJV) For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;
(Colossians 1:6 KJV) Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:
(1 Thessalonians 2:13 KJV) For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
(2 Thessalonians 2:10 KJV) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
(2 Thessalonians 2:12 KJV) That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
((1 Timothy 2:4 KJV) Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
(2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
(2 Timothy 2:25 KJV) In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
(2 Timothy 4:4 KJV) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
((2 Peter 2:2 KJV) And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
(1 John 1:6 KJV) If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
(1 John 1:8 KJV) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
(1 John 2:27 KJV) But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
(1 John 3:18 KJV) My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
(1 John 4:6 KJV) We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
