Tolerance, Part 2, By Charles T. Crabtree, Submitted by Phil the Evangelist

Posted by: Evans Olang on: April 16, 2008

• In: HistoryMaker
• Comment!

Good morning
The apostle Paul showed us the proper use of tolerance in those things that were temporal and material. He must have been considered a liberal when he said, “I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself” (Romans 14:14). He was so tolerant of earthly things he could say, “I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound” (Philippians 4:12).

Paul’s intolerance at any attempt to undermine the authority of Scripture and doctrine is well known. The first General Council in Jerusalem was to settle the role of circumcision and salvation. Paul’s intolerance of legalism kept Christ’s atonement and our salvation in the realm of faith–not works. This is the same apostle who wrote, “For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law” (Romans 2:12).

It does not take a great deal of spiritual acumen to ascertain the proper use of tolerance. Like loving mothers and fathers, we are tolerant and patient with our children in their normal growth and development. At the same time we are absolutely intolerant of anything or anyone who would harm them.

My prayer is that all will realize they have not been ordained by men to preach the gospel and declare the whole counsel of God. God has ordained and placed the mantle of divine authority upon His messengers. They are to be the purveyors of truth, not the secular press or unconverted, educated geniuses, or some Eastern guru.

It is my plea that every minister will fight the good fight of faith through a new emphasis on the apostles’ doctrine and Bible theology. Our task is to build people through the systematic teaching of the Word of God, not through a convoluted philosophy and false self-image. Our task is to make certain people know God, not just feel good.

“The fear of man bringeth a snare” (Proverbs 29:25). Nowhere is this truth more applicable than in this day when the world is demanding we be tolerant of all kinds of perversion and false doctrine. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

What steps should be taken to withstand the strategy of Satan to destroy our faith and still the voice of truth?

• Know your faith. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Every believer, and especially every minister, needs to concentrate primarily on the Word of God and not on the words of men, even good men. Our faith grows as we eat food for faith. The renewal or addition to our faith is a daily discipline, not a weekly obligation.
• Defend your faith. If you do not, who will? You are commanded by Scripture to “contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). The world may call you narrow-minded or bigoted or defensive, but that is not your problem; it is theirs. It is difficult not to appear defensive when you are defending. Do not be contentious in spirit or defensive in attitude, but be strong in your defense of the gosp
• Declare your faith. The enemy would like nothing better than to still the testimony and witness of Pentecostal people. The apostle Paul would be a bit mystified by those who call themselves Christians but are afraid to share their faith. He said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16).

Let us not allow the words of men to cancel the Word of God. Let us not let the spirit of the age overcome the indwelling Spirit of God. Let us not let the fear of men dissuade us from obedience to God. “For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord” (2 Corinthians 4:5). “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed” (Galatians 1:8). That would be intolerable. Charles T. Crabtree is assistant general superintendent of the Assemblies of God, Springfield, Missouri.