Christian Tolerance

There has been a lot going on in my life which has distracted me from posting or writing much of anything. But, I have not been short of information or learning more about our Creator. God has been keeping one thought on my mind for the last few weeks consistently which is what I will be writing below.

Many Christians are worried about offending others. They don't want to 'force' anyone into something and they also don't like coming across too closed minded or intolerant. I only speak from experience. I am someone who has trouble making decisions, not because I can't make up my mind, but because I don't want my decision to put anyone in a box or to limit them to something they don't like. For example, I have lived with multiple roommates for the last six years (which goes directly against my intense introverted nature). With any roommate situation I don't listen to music out loud if any roommate is home (or at least it is VERY rare). I do this so that if they don't like music I am listening to, it isn't a problem because they can't hear it. There is no logic to this mental processing. Any roommate that I have lived with would be completely understanding of any of the musical selections I like to listen to. But this desire to please or accept or even tolerate everything others do as to not offend anyone is deeply ingrained into many Christian's daily lives.

I say all of this because I was challenged while listening to a sermon from Pastor Mark Driscoll. I drive a lot for work and fell in love with podcasts. Since I am just about caught up with my other podcasts I expanded my listening selections to sermons from Driscoll and a few other sources. In one Driscoll sermon series (The Seven) that focuses on the letters in the book Revelation that were written to seven different churches. Specifically the sermon titled "Progressive in Thyatira: More Tolerant Than God" (which you can find @ http://marshill.com/media/the-seven) talks about tolerance and how we as Christians should not be tolerant to sin!

Well, probably now you are saying: "Well, of course we shouldn't be tolerant of sin". If you listen to this sermon Driscoll talks about how someone confronting a person about being "intolerant" is actually being intolerant of them being intolerant. People convince you that if you are not tolerant of everyone (people that agree and all those that disagree with you) you are extremely close minded. G.K. Chesterton said "Tolerance is the virtue of someone without convictions". Driscoll describes that the church in Thyation is too tolerant. As Christian's we CANNOT be tolerant of sin!! When I thought of this, I of course came up with an analogy.

If someone goes and murders someone. They are caught and are put on trial. In their trial, they confess to the murder and explain all the details about it. While still on trial this person also says that they don't think or believe that killing someone is against the law (why they did it). They say that if they thought it was illegal, they would of never killed. BUT, it doesn't matter what that person 'believes' is true or fact or the law. What matters is THE LAW. That person will be charged with murder no matter if they themselves think it was right or wrong. The Judge would not be looked upon as closed minded if they declare that person guilty because they believe something different then the court.

We, as Christians, should look at the laws that God gave us in the Bible as TRUTH and LAW. It doesn't matter what other people 'think' or 'feel' or 'believe'. If it is different than the Bible, it is wrong and we should not tolerate it. If God says it is sin, He doesn't tolerate it! We cannot, and should not be more tolerant than God Himself.

This was VERY challenging to me because I try to be tolerant! Ahh! If you would like something more detailed, I would HIGHLY recommend listening to Driscoll's sermon!!

A Runner's Prayer

I literally just found this on Pinterest (which I am completely addicted to by the way). Once I finish all of the paintings/art projects I have backlogged from other people this will be the first piece of art I paint for myself! (I absolutely want the words, not sure how the rest will look) but I just had to share this!

Let God be your motivation! You want to be in the best shape you can be to be able to face anything He has in store for you. Whether it's an intense ministry calling or raising a God dependent family.

The Daily To-Do List

Today in my small group Bible study (and when I say small group I mean currently it's 2-3 people, but that does not mean there is any lack of depth to our conversations) we started a short study to confront some very common arguments against Christianity.

We talked about a lot but one major thing that stuck in my head was that our Christian daily checklist....aka read the Bible, pray and going to church (which most of the time isn't daily but still makes the to-do list). This list isn't what gets you saved from your sins, it is what you do because you are so completely in LOVE with Christ because of who He is and what He has done for you that you do those things. I have mentioned this before but I struggle doing these things. I want to but I literally forget. Then, when I remember when the last time I read my Bible (outside of the church) I feel guilty and a whole lot of other depressing emotions. Well, what I thought about today was that all of us have a primary love language. (based off of the book The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman<-- Great book if you haven't read it already)

My top love language is quality time, which I am sure I learned and developed because my parents went out of their way (like 20 hours out of their way some times) to spend such a short amount of time physically with me. Another one that was close to the top was gifts. I LOVE giving meaningful gifts and it means SO much to me when someone spends time thinking and pondering what to give me. (for example, I was talking to a friend at church a while ago and when he said he was playing his ukulele the other night I mentioned how much I always wanted one. He happened to be my secret Santa at Christmas and actually gave me a ukulele!). Since God created all of us with these unique love languages He must speak in all of them. I actually think that all five of the love languages are God's top languages. With that thought, each thing on our Christian to-do list hits one or more of those love languages so that we are speaking each one back to Him. When we are serving others, that is acts of service. When we sing or praise God, that is words of affirmation. When we go to church and fellowship with other Christians this is quality time. I'm sure you get the idea. Well, make sure that you are speaking to God in His love languages (which is all of them).