Question about "Tolerance"

We had a question about tolerance, saying that we know right from wrong for ourselves, but how do we deal with the wrong in other people, how do we treat them? This is a very good question and one that causes us all to stretch a little. A simple answer is that we "hate the sin but love the sinner." The example of homosexuality was cited in the question.

We can note in the last blog entry regarding "Tolerance" that homosexuality is clearly taught as a sin in the Bible. Thus, in light of the question, we know that we are not to practice homosexuality. If we have these tendencies, we are not to practice, or carry them out. But what does the Bible teach that we are to do with those who do practice these things, who are violating God's teaching?

The very first point must be to note that Jesus came to save sinners, not the "perfect" people of this world! He was constantly criticized for eating and associating with the worst of people, the common people, the sinners. But He also expected them to change. Zacchaeus in Luke 19 is a good example. He was a hated tax collector, but Jesus chose to spend time with him, stayed at his house. And Zacchaeus repented of his past wrongs.

The second point is that we must sometimes treat sinners in the church differently from those outside the church, at least for a time. 1 Cor 5 gives a good summary of this, differentiating between the sinner "inside" the church from the sinner outside. The point here is that we are not even to eat with the church sinner "that his spirit may be saved." But Jesus showed us over and again that we are to reach out to sinners in "the world", vs 10.

Point three is that we are to love everyone. 1 John talks a lot about our love for others; 3:10 says, "love one another." 1 Corinthians 13 ends with, "now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

But with all of that said, we must not condone sin. The reader likely doesn't need me to cite a lot of verses regarding sin, that God hates sin, He is Righteous and has no tolerance for sin. But I'll mention one passage in Ephesians 5:1-17 that is typical of the Bible stance that God's people are not to be drawn in by sin, nor to associate with sin. Note verse 11, "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them." So, in summary, we are to associate with sinners "in the world," but are not to condone their sin, and in fact, we are to expose, or speak out against, sin when the opportunity arises.

See you next week!