Do Not Tolerate Sin!
Isn't the theme song of our culture "Be Tolerant!"? "What's right for you may not be right for me". "If it feels good, do it."
Canadians have a worldwide reputation for being a people who don't want to step on any toes. This last Canada Day I saw some people proudly wearing the red and white colours on their t-shirts that had printed one word: Sorry. It took me a minute but then I laughed by head off and wondered how I could get my hands on one of those shirts for myself! Sorry says it all - don't hurt anyone's feelings!
Can this same attitude creep into our own churches when we're dealing with spiritual matters? It did in Thyatira. And Jesus couldn't have been clearer in his letter to them - "Stop tolerating this sin and hold onto what you have until I come!" Love does not equal permissiveness as the devotion says. Makes me think of the phrase " tough love".
The words written to this church are encouraging us to "hold on"and overcome to the end. It's time to call sin what it is - sin. Love expressed from the heart of one who cares more for the individual's soul than their feelings will find strength in Christ through His Word to boldly proclaim law and gospel! Makes for pretty interesting office parties, family reunions and Christmas dinners, eh? After all, sin damns eternally and souls are at stake!
Canadians have a worldwide reputation for being a people who don't want to step on any toes. This last Canada Day I saw some people proudly wearing the red and white colours on their t-shirts that had printed one word: Sorry. It took me a minute but then I laughed by head off and wondered how I could get my hands on one of those shirts for myself! Sorry says it all - don't hurt anyone's feelings!
Can this same attitude creep into our own churches when we're dealing with spiritual matters? It did in Thyatira. And Jesus couldn't have been clearer in his letter to them - "Stop tolerating this sin and hold onto what you have until I come!" Love does not equal permissiveness as the devotion says. Makes me think of the phrase " tough love".
The words written to this church are encouraging us to "hold on"and overcome to the end. It's time to call sin what it is - sin. Love expressed from the heart of one who cares more for the individual's soul than their feelings will find strength in Christ through His Word to boldly proclaim law and gospel! Makes for pretty interesting office parties, family reunions and Christmas dinners, eh? After all, sin damns eternally and souls are at stake!
4 comments:
Does anyone's commentary or study notes give any insight into the "feet of burnished bronze"?
A way to say he crushes his enemies under his feet and that he has the power to enforce his will.
I love these descriptions of Himself he gives!
Tolerance is a good thing.
But, like so many good things, Satan twists it to turn it into something that hinders God's kingdom.
We lovingly tolerate the annoying habits of our friends and family members in order to keep those relationships strong. After all, God continually loves us even though we are persistent in "annoying" him, right?
We lovingly tolerate those in our society who look or act differently from us in order to promote peace and the value of each individual. After all, God created each person to be unique, yet values us all so much that he sacrificed his son for each and every person, right?
However, when we imply that tolerance of differences is the same as welcoming and encouraging false teaching and sinful behavior, we have crossed the line into the realm of doing harm.
Determining where that line is, however, is where it gets a bit tricky. Sometimes am I too tolerant of sin? Probably. Sometimes do I over-scrutinize or somehow demonize those who look or act differently from me, assuming that they have a greater tendency toward sin than I do? Probably. I believe that daily, honest evaluation of my own heart in the light of God's word is the best place to start when it comes to knowing how to treat others. When I see the depths of my own depravity and the grace and mercy of God in daily forgiving and blessing me, then I am ready to share his love with others, even if that means confronting false teaching and sin.
“I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.” (v21) Before we cut off ties with someone persisting in sin, we need to make sure they know that they are sinning and that Jesus paid for that. By not repenting, they reject the forgiveness being held out to them. But God will do the punishing. We need not punish others for their sins.
Son of God, your eyes are like blazing fire. You are the one who searches hearts and minds. Show us the depths of our own sinfulness so that we can know more fully the heights of your love for us. Help us to share that love with others, even if it means speaking against false teaching and sinful behavior. Give us your strength to hold on to what we have until you come, Lord Jesus.
Well thought out comment, well written, beautiful prayer - thank you!
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