Our society is constantly calling for tolerance and acceptance when it comes to lifestyle choices or religious beliefs. The sentiment is that we should all just get along with each other and never speak against what one or the other is doing. In more cases than not, folks are using Jesus as their source of approval saying things like “as long as we all love Jesus then it doesn’t matter how we differ” when it comes to morality or our doctrinal beliefs.
However, while many are preaching a message of “peace and tolerance” they are failing to see what Jesus Himself actually said:
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:34-37).
Jesus came with a sword to make a distinction between those who will actually love Him and obey Him versus those who won’t.
Therefore, when it comes to matters of morality that are clearly defined in the word of God, there can be no tolerance toward anything that goes against it. But instead, there will be an earnest plea of love for those in sin to repent, receive God’s forgiveness, and devote their lives to God’s holiness.
When it comes to matters of doctrine that are clearly revealed as God’s truth, there can be no tolerance toward anything that differs. But instead, there will be a humble and loving plea to acknowledge God’s truth and reject false teaching.
Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works? And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, those working lawlessness!”
The One we need to ‘get along with’ is God. And the only way to do that is to do what is pleasing to Him. Let’s learn what is truly pleasing to Him and then do it. There is only one Lord, one faith, one truth. Let’s live for Him.
To GOD be the glory!
A Cord of Blue 