Tolerate:
“To accept the existence of different views; to recognize other
people’s right to have different beliefs or practices without an attempt to
suppress them.”
Tolerance:
The acceptance of differing views of other people, e.g., in religious
or political matters, and fairness toward the people who hold these different
views.”
29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot
the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I
will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be
burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” —Matthew 13:29-30What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to
judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. —Corinthians 5:12-138 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be
compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On
the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you
may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.
12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”
13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should
suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be
frightened.” 15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to
give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that
you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience,
so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be
ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing
good than for doing evil. —1 Peter 3:8-17
1. Take a Stand
Truth cannot be sacrificed at the altar of pretended tolerance. Real tolerance is
deference to all ideas, not indifference to the truth.
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
—1 Peter 3:158 Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be
compassionate and humble. —1 Peter 3:8
2. Co-Exist With Everyone
Our culture has accepted two huge lies. The first is that if you disagree with
someone’s lifestyle, you must fear them or hate them. The second is that to love
someone means you agree with everything they believe or do. Both are
nonsense. You don’t have to compromise convictions to be compassionate.
–Rick Warren
18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. —Romans 12:18
10 For,“Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep their tongue from evil
and their lips from deceitful speech.
11 They must turn from evil and do good;
they must seek peace and pursue it. —1 Peter 3:10
3. Co-Exist With the Intolerant
9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with
blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. —1 Peter 3:9When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he
suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges
justly. —1 Peter 2:2314 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear
their threats; do not be frightened.” —1 Peter 3:14keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your
good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 For it is better, if it is
God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. —1 Peter 3:16-1717 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of
everyone.
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. —Romans 12:17, 20-21
4. Co-Exist With the Tolerant
15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer
to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do
this with gentleness and respect, —1 Peter 3:15