As Tolerant As Jesus
I'd like to share with you some thoughts about Jesus and what He taught about
judging others. Many people have a really inaccurate idea about what Jesus
taught on the subject. They think He taught us not to judge others, period. That
is not so. They suppose that Jesus sweetly tolerated anything and everything
with regards to the differing religious and moral beliefs and practices of His
day. He did not.
First, Jesus loved everybody. He came to save anyone in the world who desired to
be saved. But His love for others, as great as it was, never interfered with Him
telling them the truth. He taught on very controversial matters, and brought
forth the truth even when it is very unpopular, even dangerous, to do so
(Matthew 23:6-12). Some preachers today think that being "tolerant" so as not to
offend is being like Jesus was. It isn't. Tough love tells the truth, which
sometimes hurts for the moment, but also enlightens and, with the right
reception, leads to life.
Jesus did not believe, tolerate nor condone everything taught by the various
religious leaders of the day. Jesus taught that doctrine does matter. While
others may be teaching, "We are all going to the same place, just by different
roads" Jesus taught "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to
life, and there are few who find it." (Matthew 7:14).
Jesus does not want you or me to think that we ought to accept and believe
everything we hear as being "alternative truth". He has said that truth is
absolute and knowable (John 8:31,32). If a teaching or philosophy is contrary to
the Scriptures, then it must not be tolerated but rejected. It is untrue, a
false way. Truth is absolute, and does not change. Of course, we treat all with
respect and dignity as souls who bear the image of our Creator. We recognize the
God given right of each person to make his or her own decisions with regard to
what their relationship with God is going to entail. Truth cannot be forced on
anyone, and we ought not to even try. It must be received within the human
heart. But at the end of the day, there is still only one true faith, and we do
our God, our fellow human beings, and ourselves a great disservice if we
carelessly say otherwise (Ephesians 4:4-6).
By Jon W. Quinn
The Final Page
From Expository Files 9.7, July 2002
