Christians and Tolerance (3)

Answering Arguments

What is Tolerance?

“A fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, practices, race, religion, nationality, etc., differ from one’s own. Freedom from bigotry!” (www.dictionary.com)

In previous lessons:

We CANNOT tolerate sin!But we must maintain a godly attitude!Today, answering passages!

Matt. 7:1-5“The Bible says not to judge…”Jesus is dealing with hypocritical judgments.

Matt. 7:1-5The passage itself calls for godly judgments (Vs. 6)John 7:24 - Judge righteous judgment 2 Tim. 2:22, Eph. 5:11 – passages call for judgment

Matt. 7:1-5Passages dealing with withdrawing and avoiding 2 Cor. 6:14, 17; 1 Tim. 6:5; 1 Cor. 16:17, 2 Tim. 3:5, etc.

John 8:7Consider the account John 8:1-11Jesus again dealing with corrupt leaders seeking to entrap Him. He exposed their hypocrisy

John 8:7A lesson about forgivenessGod does care about our sins - Jn. 3:16, 1 Pet. 2:24Woman told to sin no more (.vs 11)Jesus could forgive sins – Matt. 9:6, Lk. 23:42Our forgiveness – Rom. 6:3-4

John 8:7Did Jesus condone her adultery?Absolutely not! Jesus NEVER condones sin! Where does He teach us, ever, to tolerate sin????Do not confuse forgiveness with approval!!

John 8:7“Go and sin no more” – she was expected to repent!

John 8:7“Neither do I condemn you”Consider this with Old Law!1)2 Witnesses – Deut. 17:62)Adultery – both to die – Lev. 20:103)What was intent of rulers?4)Witness first to cast a stone Deut. 17:75)Jesus could NOT “condemn her” according to Old Law

John 8:7Thoughts:If we are guilty of sin, 2 wrongs don’t make a right!If one uses this argument, are they admitting their conduct is sinful?As we judge sinful conduct, is our attitude right?

Romans 14“Receive one who is weak in the faith” “To his own master, each one stands or falls”The context dealing with matters about which God is indifferent

Romans 14Principles that govern our conduct toward othersDealing with “weak” brethren 15:1, 14:1Our conduct affects them 14:15-16Pursue peace and edification 14:19Clear conscience 14:22-23

Romans 14Does text teach tolerance of sinful conduct or false doctrine?Absolutely not! The matters of this text - liberties – i.e. particular foods, particular days 14:2-7NOT dealing with sinful practices or morality

Romans 14NOT teaching tolerance with compromise! (Esp. brethren)Not ignoring sinful conduct!We must help brethren in sin (Gal. 6:1; Jas. 5:19)

Psalm 133:1“How good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”AMEN! God wants unity!But NOT at the cost of truth!1 Cor. 1:10, Jn.17:20-21

Psalm 133:1Paul taught the same thing everywhere – 1 Cor. 4:17AMEN! God wants unity!WE must reject error and false teachers – 2 John 9-11, Gal. 1:6-9Let us pursue unity according to God’s standard!

Sinful behavior does NOT justify a

hateful response!

Let us stand with God and

those who stand with

Him!