i was reading a friend's status update on facebook today and was a little concerned and admittedly a little vexed. in short, the status update indicated that he believes, and is proclaiming that all christians and their beliefs are intolerant. first, i thought isn't your intolerance of christian beliefs, in fact intolerant, thereby leaving you guilty of the same sin you accuse us of, but i digress...
what really burdened my heart about that comment, was a question that continued to recur in my head...why should i be tolerant to someone's behavior when it can cause them pain and hardship in life and could potentially separate them from Christ eternally? i'm sorry, but if i truly care about the human soul, then my intolerance towards unbiblical behavior can not be divorced from how i deal with the culture at large. if i am tolerant to those behaviors then i am saying that i don't care about what happens to them in this life and in the next, and that is simply not how i feel.
when i have a child i will not tolerate any dangerous behavior because i LOVE them, not because i HATE them. to me that is really the crux of my issue with this person's comment. he assumes that not tolerating certain lifestyles or behaviors comes from hate and not love, and that is simply not the case with those that are true followers of Christ. those of us who have been saved and are gripped by God's unending and protective grace want to share it with others because we have love in our hearts for others. i think it is also important to mention that i do not have to tolerate someones lifestyle and choices to still love that person. again...love that person regardless of the sin. this is what Christ does for all of us and our hearts are called to similar action.
i have someone in my life that is an alcoholic. i am unashamedly intolerant to this behavior, but i still love this person and pray heavily for them. i am seriously and adamantly intolerant to actions that would end the life of an unborn child, but i still love the person that believed she did not have any other choice. likewise, i am intolerant of someone who would blow up an abortion clinic in the name of religion. it is true that many people have committed some heinous acts in the name of God, but i would assert that Christ and true followers of Him would not condone or tolerate those actions. perhaps it is these actions that have caused many of the lost to believe that our intolerance of certain behaviors comes from hate, and i for one will be praying about that.
because the Father burdens my heart for the human soul i will continue to be openly and boldly intolerant to behaviors that will be detrimental to people in life and more importantly prevent them from eternal salvation. i will express this intolerance in a spirit of my personal love for them and the love the Father has for them. in that spirit you can label me intolerant and i will wear that badge with pride.
peace and love.
1 comment:
First of all, I am honored and so excited to be able to follow you and your husband on this amazing journey to becoming parents and I'm excited to pray for you both as each day nears closer to meeting your sweet baby!
Second, I have a hunch as to who the "subject" is of this post, and if I am correct I felt the EXACT SAME way you did! It actually really hurt me and angered me all in one. And in a rash descision I almost "unfriended" them immediatley...but then the Lord reminded me of something...I am called as a follower of Christ to be a light and how could I be a light if I "unfriended" that person. I only pray that some of my status updates if for a second reaches that person and if in that second it potentially strikes a chord...well then that would be awesome. Ok, long comment (your going to revoke my blog access if I keep this up!). All the best sweetie!
Val
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