In the Shadow of the Cross

We see the word ‘tolerance’ everywhere these days. In the old days, it was just an unspoken respect for all people and their way of live. Now it is a buzz word that somehow is indicative of a sacred way of life, some idea that people love to throw out at parties and social gatherings, or political events, or fundraisers, but very few people actually practice. Don’t misunderstand, I am all for diversity and tolerance of other people, regardless of whether I agree with their worldview or not.

What I don’t fully grasp is the intolerance of groups that salute the idea of tolerance for people and ideas. In other words, I keep seeing and reading about groups of people in all sectors of life, and in particular the political secure that do not tolerate Christians and our worldview, and in this country our right to have view and to speak it.

Tolerance should be a kindness and non-judgmental benevolence. Truth is not compromised in this equation, by the way. As a Christian, should I be judgmental towards others? Discerning yes, judging no, particularly of non-believers-there is a discipline system internal to the Church described in the book of Timothy. A tolerant Christian person will see people as they were created- in the image of God, not agreeing with their belief system necessarily, but seeing them as people. This is manifest in the rescue missions to the earthquake torn China, or at the tsunami hit areas of Indonesia, and closer to home- in the flood ravaged Midwest or Katrina victims in Dixie. The Christian Church was the first at the scene, much quicker than FEMA. Why? It can be argued that faith based ‘rescue’ operations are not hindered by bureaucracy, but they do share some common logistical issues. Yet, FEMA is a professional operation designed for catastrophic events. Faith based operations are powered by … yes . here is that word again –Tolerance. This is kindness shown to all people regardless of their belief system. This is tolerance – in action. Can it be said the Christians or faith-based philanthropy and relief missions to China were solely aimed at Chinese Christians? No. So why would

Christian relief missions go to non-Christian areas of the world to render aid? It is benevolent kindness to those in need regardless of their belief system or tolerance.

In contrast, biblical views on life are considered to not worth hearing, generally speaking. They are scorned and seen as a list of rules, impossible to keep and with a group of people who are quick to point any slight violation of the rule, with tyrannical authority. Yes, there are Christians who force their bible down the throats of others, with an overbearing demeanor that would turn off any normal human. Is this tolerance? I would venture to say –‘No’, the key components are missing, loving kindness and compassion.

But for the others of us who see Christianity as a way of life, a realization of our own sinfulness and our deep need for a Savior with a deep desire to be obedient to our Father.-God. Christianity and the Christ of Christianity are core and central to our view point, as if this is boldly stated with loving kindness to those who want to hear it. God will take care of the rest of the equation. When engaged with those who want nothing to do with God, Christ or His teachings, move on.

Christ Himself said that the world would hate us, because they first hated Him. So we are in good company, when we see and feel firsthand the intolerance in the ‘tolerance’ movement.

How do we combat this? You probably already get the idea…with love and compassion. We can show and manifest Jesus in our actions of love and compassion, by discarding the ‘down your throat’ approach to evangelism. Note, that I am NOT diminishing boldness, as we see examples of in the Book of Acts. God will bring people to Himself via His Spirit, but as Christians we should boldly and lovingly proclaim and praise His name. Jesus is the best example of this as we see how unjustly he was treated, harassed and mocked by the Pharisees who questioned Jesus to entrap Him in a snare and finally calling for His crucifixion. Read the four gospel accounts, nowhere do you see Jesus preaching in a ‘commando-full throttle style’ quoting rules and promoting a legalistic regimen. No-just the opposite in fact.

Here’s an idea. And it’s not new, nor can I take credit for it. What does the Bible say about justification/salvation? Can a Biblical viewpoint expressed to a non-believer in a loving manner be a method by which Christ can be proclaimed boldly by a viable and compassion expression of love? Would describing all of us as sinners and in need of a Savior be a good starting point for evangelism? Sinners are not just non-believers, and not all ‘Christians’ are believers. Would an intolerant person be more apt to grasp this idea and understand the simplicity and neutrality of what Biblical justification and salvation are? It is not following a strict rule book and it certainly is not being hounded by people brandishing rolling pins ready to jump down any one who is guilty of the most trivial infraction of the rules. {This is not about watering down the gospel so that is not so “offensive”, it is about walking the walk in our actions and statements in a loving manner}.

To answer my own question the Bible teaches that justification means righteousness is imputed, not infused. A person is declared righteous at the point where he accepts Christ as his Savior and Lord. However one does not change into a non-sinner, or transported to another time or dimension. Their sinful nature is still present, but their desire for that nature is decreased –no, the sinful nature is not forever gone, that happens much later. A person is credited with the righteousness of Jesus, not by their own words or actions, but by their faith in Christ. ‘What does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift, but as an obligation. However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Romans 4-3-5 NIV).

There is no amount of action or works that a sinner can perform that will merit God’s salvation. Only the righteousness of Christ is perfect enough for God and it is imputed to believers via faith. This way, no other means other than Christ is the way to salvation and eternal life. No works or actions of humans can add to or enhance the perfect righteousness of Christ. Christ is sufficient. His perfection is sufficient. His death was not merely another death among men, but the pivotal point in history.

“For it, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the one gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ…. For just as though the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous” (Romans 5:17,19 NIV)

We all are in need of this. The focal point, in my opinion, is not to dissolve intolerance and soften those who practice it, but to show that we all as human beings have a choice that will effect our eternity. Last time I checked, eternity is a long time, that’s why this choice is so imperative, and stating it boldly is equally important,

This is the message simplified…we all need Christ as our Savior. Christians are the people who are the collective mechanism by which this message is to be spread. Will this inflame others? Yes. Will they see this as an exclusive and one-dimensional viewpoint of heaven and God? Yes. Will this anger them and diminish their tolerance of Christians? Absolutely! We see this already and it’s becoming more prevalent. What is our response? Let’s look to our model. The example is one that provides a two-pronged approach to not only the doctrine of justification as described by Christ, but serves as a great example of loving-kindness shown to a hurting person. One other great point that we see in this example is the perfect analogy to describe to a non-believer, and to highlight the lack of any rule-keeping, the lack of a Pharisee or a finger-pointer that so many non-believers are so turned off by.

"Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee, and the other a tax-gatherer. The Pharisee stood and was praying thus to himself, 'God, I thank Thee that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax-gatherer. I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get.' But the tax-gatherer, standing some distance away, was even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me, the sinner!' I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself shall be humbled, but he who humbles himself shall be exalted" (Luke 18:9-14, NIV).

You could read volumes of systematic theology, but here it is a short parable. This tax collector, knew he needed a Savior, he could not do anything to merit salvation on his own, and he was justified instantly. Notice that he did not have to jump through hoops, recite a creed, get baptized or sign a membership card. He simply cried out to God! Wait, a minute, you mean it’s that easy Yes it is. Faith is the catalyst. We see in this example that God did not turn His back on the hurting person. Read on and you will see the contrast of the tax-collector and the smug Pharisee- we all know who they are. The Pharisee was busy finger-pointing at others, with his false repentance and public displays of false piety. He thought following the rule book to the smallest detail was sufficient for him, and was even arrogant and boastful about it. Do you know someone like that? I do too. Does a hurting world want to hear this? Some do, some don’t

State that to the hurting someone you know – not in the manner of a Pharisee, but rather simply, lovingly and honestly. Sin is universal, we all have it. It’s not contagious it is already in everyone’s nature. But we don’t have to work ourselves out of it. The way out is offered freely to those who wish to take Him, embrace Him and worship Him.

Christians are not better, just forgiven. Christians, through their lives, their view of the world, their actions, reactions, thoughts and speech can show a benevolent kindness to those who are in the tolerance, or intolerance movement. Those who have ears and a desire to hear-will hear; those who don’t –won’t. But maybe in the mist of it all, one person turns their life around and gives it to Christ. The general intolerance to Christians, the people and their ideas, may turn around for some, maybe not for others, but never underestimate the power of our God and His truth.

The “NIV” and “New International Version” trademarks are registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by International Bible Society. Use of either trademark requires permission of International Bible Society.