Tolerance is the buzz word of the day. The problem is that our world has redefined it to cloak intolerance. Tolerance used to mean being able to disagree (even seriously) with someone else and still love them. The very word "tolerance" carries the idea of not liking something. For example, I tolerate eating cabbage and not ice cream. Why, because I don't like cabbage, but I love ice cream. The world however says that tolerance means agreeing with everybody (at least on issues of morality and the way to God). Anyone who is not tolerant in this new way is subject to intense animosity (and intolerance ironically).
We shouldn't bemoan the fact that the world is intolerant towards us for not affirming their views on sexuality, the plurality of ways to God, etc. Jesus said that to follow him meant facing the hostility of the world. In this fallen world, there are things we must resist and speak against, lest we be found unfaithful to our Lord (Kevin DeYoung has a good article on this called "The Tolerance Jesus Will Not Tolerate"). We must not capitulate on issues of sexual ethics or the exclusivity of Jesus as the way of salvation. So, in the world we will have trouble.
The good news is that Jesus not only tells us that we will have trouble; he also gives us hope. The Bible gives us some promises to cling to as we becoming increasingly strange to the world around us. John Piper lists 8 of them here in a podcast episode called "8 promises to students facing ridicule at school." I encourage you to listen to the short podcast or read the transcript.
A blog designed to encourage Grace Church of Tallahassee College/Career members to think biblically in all areas of life and to grow in the knowledge of the truth which accords with godliness (Titus 1:1). The title is based on Titus 2:12 where Paul says that the grace of God saves us and trains us to live godly lives in the present age.
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