https://biblelovenotes.blogspot.com/2020/05/intolerance-toward-christians.html
Intolerance Toward Christians
Written by Gail at Bible Love Notes
A certain type of persecution is increasing: Christians are being called “intolerant” based solely on our beliefs, not because we’ve actually been intolerant.
Christian groups that offer humanitarian aid are regularly condemned for their beliefs, even when they offer their help to everyone without bias.
Some Christians are buckling under the pressure. A well-known Christian restaurant chain recently quit donating to ministries, based strictly on their statement of faith, even though the ministries serve the poor and needy without partiality (source).
Tolerance means treating people decently even if we disagree with their beliefs. Christian organizations that serve people with non-biblical views are going above and beyond the meaning of tolerance.(1)
And people who ridicule those organizations based solely on their beliefs are the epitome of intolerance. They are demanding approval, not tolerance, and they are condemning Christians who are willing to serve them without bias.
So what should we do as this type of persecution increases?
1. Stand firm. Don’t deny God’s Word simply to avoid persecution.
1 Corinthians 16:13: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”
Also Matthew 5:10, Matthew 10:22, and Ephesians 6:10.
2. Find comfort in our Savior who was also persecuted.
Hebrews 12:1-2: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.”
Also John 15:18-25.
3. Remain tolerant and kind. Don’t return evil for evil.
Romans 12:17: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil.”
Also 1 Peter 3:9 and 1 Thessalonians 5:15.
4. Pray for those who mistreat us.
Matthew 5:44: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Also Luke 6:28 and Romans 12:21.
5. Be honest but shrewd.(2)
Matthew 10:16: “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
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(1) Tolerance: “showing willingness to allow the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.”
(2) Shrewd: In English shrewd means “having or showing sharp powers of judgment; astute.” This is a fair rendering of the Greek word phronimos which means “intelligent, prudent, sensible, wise.”
Christians should be honest about God’s Word, never ashamed to speak the hard truths of Scripture. But we should also be shrewd, sharing those truths at the proper times and places and with the proper grace.
Question to Ponder: Suppose you are teaching a Bible study which addresses sex from a biblical perspective with lessons on premarital sex, pornography, adultery, and homosexuality. You want to advertise your study on your church’s Facebook page. But you discover that Facebook sometimes “hides” posts that don’t affirm homosexuality. How could you be both honest and shrewd? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please share your feedback in the comment section below.
Bible Love Notes
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