Tolerance does not necessarily equal compromise. Obviously, lots of people in our society are not too concerned about pleasing God in their lifestyle. Many Christians, I think, are afraid of being considerate of them lest they should themselves face an accusation of being easy on sin. And that simply would not do!
In 1998, after Bill Clinton had made a very public personal failure and a public plea for forgiveness, Tony Campolo was called to act as Clinton's spiritual guide and counselor. In an ABC interview, he says he was asked by the President "to deal with his relationship with Jesus, and the sin in his life. That is not something I've made up, that's what he asked me to do. He called me about two weeks ago and said, 'I need for you to come and spend time with me each week to talk about Jesus, and to talk about my relationship with Jesus and to deal with the sin in my life.' "
The interviewer reminds him that people are apt to put a bad spin on this, that he is just being brought in to put a gloss of contrition on a circumstance that is very damaging for the President. And Tony replies, "Let me just tell you what Jesus is all about. It's about unconditional love and being willing to be crucified. . . . If I have to worry about the spin that other people give to my life instead of being responsible to answering to God for my motivation, I'll go crazy. I mean I don't know what the options are. Am I supposed to stand back here and play a game politically and say, 'How could the Democrats use this? How can the Republicans use this?' I'm only interested in one question: How can God use this? . . . I'm willing to be betrayed, if it gives me an opportunity to share Jesus and his love with a man who needs it very much." Was the Rev. Campolo afraid that "tolerance" will harm his image as a Baptist pastor and evangelist? No. He knows that to love as Jesus loved is not compromise.
The late Jerry Falwell, ultra-conservative televangelist and harsh critic of "pagans," abortionists, feminists and gays/lesbians had this to say in an MSNBC appearance in August of 2005, "I may not agree with the lifestyle," [quite obviously he did not], "but that has nothing to do with the civil rights of that part of our constituency." Equal access to housing and employment are basic rights, not special rights, he declared. "Civil rights for all Americans, black, white, red, yellow, the rich, poor, young, old, gay, straight, et cetera, is not a liberal or conservative value. It's an American value . . ." Did Dr. Falwell fear that giving equality to all citizens might be seen as weakness? No. He knew that to treat people fairly is not compromise.
It isn't necessary for us to approve sinful behavior in order to acknowledge another's right to their own choices, even if that is to keep on sinning. After all, it was God Himself who gave that person the freedom to choose. It is only a parable that Jesus told, but the prodigal son's father let him go. He did not force the son to stay under his father's jurisdiction. He was free to sin, just as we all are until we come under "new management."
"What happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely. Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified." (Galatians 5:22-24)
MaryMartha
My earlier post related to tolerance/political correctness [here]
Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright © 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.
The interview with Tony Campolo is located at http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/8.30/relrpt/trr9839.htm
Jerry Falwell's comments are at http://www.answers.com/topic/jerry-falwell#cite_note-15
under the heading, "Social and Political Views: Civil Rights."
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