The Intolerance of Intolerance?

One time a sister was unhappy with the Bible class situation. A comment
had been made about the "liberals" and she took offense. She left worship
that day and never returned. She went to worship with the "liberals". When
asked why she left, she stated that she felt there was a lack of tolerance
for those of differing views. She felt the atmosphere was too "ungodly".
She then stated how much happier she was, and said: "We even get to drink
coffee in Bible class! You don't know how nice it is to come to the building
with my own personal coffee cup and sit in class and drink coffee and study."

Sometimes folks leave, and it has less to do with the Bible and more to do
with self. It often seems those who cry the most about the lack of tolerance,
are themselves intolerant of those who seek to expose error.
Which is better, to say "I think we are all ok, I just disagree" or, "I
think you are in error"? The result is the same: we do not agree.

Perhaps Peter should have been more tolerant of Simon's sins. Peter stated:
"Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the
thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee." (Acts 8:22) Maybe he should
have said: "Don't worry Simon, you are ok. Just say a prayer to God that
He'll make things all right". Peter stated plainly the situation such that
Simon knew where he stood before God and what he needed to do to please
God. We do no good if we make those in sin feel at ease about their sins
just because we are afraid they will have hurt feelings.

Paul told Timothy: "For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers,
having itching ears;..." (2 Timothy 4:3) We must be careful, for it
matters not which `side' we are on. It's possible for anyone to seek for
those who will scratch their ears. When this is done, we have left sound
doctrine for "scratching" doctrine! Paul charged Timothy to "... reprove,
rebuke and exhort ..." (2 Timothy 4:2) Nothing was said about tolerance for
sin or caution against exposing those in error.

Yes, we must have compassion for the lost and Yes, we must have sympathy for
those in error. However, let us not confuse compassion with tolerance or
sympathy with agreement. We must realize that we cannot accept that which God
rejects, anymore than we can reject that which God authorizes. God has never
tolerated sin, and neither should we. [JW]