Wednesday, July 3, 2013

July 3 - Tolerance

Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus, so that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God. Romans 15:5-7 

Tolerance is being open-minded and patient with others even when they are different or weaker. We tolerate other people’s way of life, their idiosyncrasies, and beliefs. Do we do this because we are Christian? Some of the things we tolerate in others, God abhors, but we still tolerate or look the other way. Is it OK to be “tolerant” of others? Their sin is no greater than our—so we look the other way, rationalizing that God will forgive them, just as He has forgiven us. Will He? If they ask for forgiveness…Yes. He will forgive them. Can you be tolerant of others views or lifestyles that don’t match your own? Can you accept one another, as Jesus Christ has accepted us? 

Training Tip – Cut out magazine pictures of children from different countries and put them out on the table. Then ask your children with whom they would play …or want to be friends. Have they developed any bias or prejudices?  Talk to them about how God loves all the children of the world—sing the song with little one if you know it, “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” Tell them that God wants us to love and accept everyone just like He does.
 

Lord Jesus, help us to accept everyone we meet and know and see them as You see them. Let us show that we accept them from our heart, not just with words.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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