Tolerance is a word that seems to get thrown around a lot lately. I have also been witness to many people thrusting the label of intolerance on others while being intolerant themselves. A fable come to mind for this.
One day Abraham was sitting by his tent when he saw a very old man coming his way. With true Bedouin hospitality he invites the old man into his tent for a meal. During this meal Abraham inquires about the old man's religious beliefs. Upon finding out he is a fire worshipper Abraham thrusts him from his camp calling him an infidel. But then something curious happens, God called to Abraham and asked where the old man was. Abraham answered that he removed him because he did not properly worship God. God then replied, "I have put up with his foolishness for almost a century. Why could you not put up with him for one evening?" At this Abraham learned hospitality towards others...even those who do not share his beliefs.
Tolerance seems to be something many preach but do not follow their own words. Tolerance seems to be something many Christians are forgetting is a fundamental lesson taught throughout the bible. Shunning, chastising, and hate in any form are wrong. As Christians we should know better than to infight with each other. I believe if those infighting consulted with Apostle Paul he would tell everyone to get over it and move on. In Romans 14 Paul learns this for himself.
In Romans 14 we learn about "weak" and "strong" Christians as Paul calls them. Those Paul calls "weak in faith" were all wrapped up in rules and regulations. They were Chrisitan Pharisees and they said that you were only a real Christian if you kept all of the rules that Pharisees derived from the law of Moses. While Paul does not say they are not Christians, he says they are not mature Christians. The mature or "stong" Christians as Paul calls them, relize that in Christ there is freedom from old testament law. They realize we are not saved by keeping the law so the "strong" Christians enjoyed their liberty and despised the "weak." whom they called "Judaizers." The "weak" Christians kept their diets and their special days and despised the "strong" christians, whom they called "Libertines." Now here is where I seem to lose some because they are both wrong. Both sides despised and disputed with each other. Whenever we despise and dispute we are wrong no matter how right we feel our argument is. Paul gives us reasons as to why we are wrong.
First is Romans 14:3 which states "Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them." In other words God does not despise either side. So if God does not despise them and has received them, then so should we. Even if we do not like them.
Next is Romans 14:4 which states "Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another. It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld for the Lord is able to make them stand." Paul said, "Who do you think you are to judge a slave that does not belong to you? You are not her master, so it does not make any difference what you think about her. She will be judged by her master, that is what counts, and if she believes her master, which is God, will find her service satisfactory, because God will help her serve." To carry this point a little further in verse 3 Paul says, "Do not set yourself up to be better than God. If God received her, then you receive her."
We are not going to be sitting in the judgement seat. The Lord is not going to ask us to give an account of anyone but ourselves. There is an interesting exchange on this subject near the end of the Gospel of John (starts at 21:19). Jesus said to Peter, "Follow me," but Peter looked over at John and said, "Lord, what shall this man do?" Jesus replied "What is it to you? You follow me." (21:22). Basicly, Jesus told Peter to mind his own business and not to worry about John. This is the kind of advice we all should take to heart.
Now back to Paul. In verse 6 he gives us yet another reason to be tolerant and accept each other. "Those who observe the day, observe it in honor of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honor of the Lord and give thanks to God." So he is saying we should not just consider WHAT they are doing but WHO they are doing it for. Saying that even though he disagrees. So what I am saying is even if we do not agree with their views, it is still God they worship. So basicly since God is cool with it and has received them, than so will I.
