Tolerance, Part 4 of 4

Preface: This post should have went up 4 days ago and it didn't. I was busy. I struggled with conviction all weekend, but never came and posted it. I think some part of me was dealing with fear - while I am incredibly passionate about the topic of this post, I know it has the power to rile people up and like every other normal person, I don't want to do THAT. But it occurred to me this morning that I already know how the devil attacks me - and it's with busyness. He will distract me with "important" tasks that keep me from doing what I should be doing...particularly when it comes to God. So I am here this morning admitting my disobedience to you; I've already repented to God. And if the devil came after me over it, this is an important message...I pray you hear it through the filter of genuine love.

Have you seen the meme floating around the social media sphere that give you alternatives to saying “I’ll pray for you”?  There are various versions, but essentially, it’s all of the things you can say besides “I’ll pray for you” so that you don’t offend someone.

I get it. I do.

You may or may not be Christian, and unless I know you intimately I don’t know if you want me to pray for you. I suppose it could also be self-righteous. Or more commonly just a platitude. Or a cop out, because how many of you actually stop and pray for that person when you say it? (I’m not even saying pray with them – just a quiet prayer lifting them up.) I understand all of those things, but I also have a serious hang up around that recommendation.

First and foremost, if I tell you I’ll pray for you it’s because it’s the most effective solution I have for your situation…especially when I don’t know you or the situation well. I do know the most effective tool I have been given is a personal relationship with a God that can do exceedingly abundantly more than I can think or imagine, and a God that big can certainly step into your problem with you. It is not self-righteous, or a platitude, or a cop out. I have personally seen God move mountains in my life; so, when I say I’ll pray for you, I am saying I will invoke the mighty power of my God to move in your life, believer or not, because you are that important to me – and I know you are that important to Him. 

Second, it is not intended to offend your non-Christian sensibilities. The expectation is that I should not say I’ll pray for you because that is intolerant of your personal beliefs. At what point did tolerance become a one-way street?

Tolerance, noun: the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with.

Tolerate, verb: to allow the existence, presence, practice, or act of without prohibition or hindrance; permit. To endure without repugnance; put up with

Basically, acknowledge that others have differing beliefs and accept that it is their right to do so. Isn’t your dismissal of my prayer the exact opposite of what you expect from me? If I am expected to be tolerant of your beliefs, shouldn’t I be afforded the same right out of mutual respect? 

I am not here to strip you of your personal beliefs and force you to follow the God I worship…that’s an agenda that I cannot support. Not only is my tolerance biblically mandated - this is America, and I believe that you are entitled to the rights granted to you by the various instruments that govern this country; that is not up for debate with me…but I do believe: if you are unwilling to accept my first point as genuine care for you, I am at least entitled to the same treatment. (This could devolve, which is not my intention, so I’m going to let it go at that and move on to what Christians are expected to do, biblically.)

As Christians, we’re expressly warned that not everyone will believe as we do.

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. – Matthew 7:13-14 (emphasis mine)

And we’re told how to handle those that do not – love them, pray for them, provide for them…we are not of this world, we do not follow the same rules the world dictates, and we’re held to a higher moral standard.

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. – John 15:19a

The world has redefined tolerance to full acceptance – it’s not enough for me to give you the space to be you, but I must also accept your beliefs as truth. Fellow Christian, it is imperative that you know whose you are, where you stand, and most importantly why you stand there.

I am a Christian. I believe the Bible is the truth, inspired by God and handed down to us so that we can navigate this world (with changing worldviews and opinions that shift as quickly as the tides) on a firm foundation. I will tolerate your beliefs because my God would be nothing if he promised free-will and then took it away. I will respect your beliefs because they are important to you, you are important to Christ, and therefore important to me. Furthermore, I will continue to pray for you: openly, fiercely, and honestly – because I know who can change your circumstances; you don’t have to accept it, but you can appreciate it for what it means to me. And if that’s truly intolerable to you – well, that’s a you issue, because I’m holding up my end of the deal with unconditional love and tolerance.