New Reminders: Tolerance

In general terms, tolerance is a willingness to accept feelings, habits or beliefs that are different from our own.  This does not mean that we agree with the other, it simply means that we are willing to live and let live, to in some cases, agree to disagree.  To live in peace, we must be willing to allow the other person to subscribe to a different philosophy, religion or life style than our own.  No matter how sure we are that our way is the best and only way to think, live or behave, we have no right to expect others to change their ways to suit us.

This is sometimes a difficult concept for Christians, because we have been taught that it is our duty to evangelize and to win souls for Christ, to “bring the Good News to all the nations.”  The link between evangelizing and accepting is respecting.  We need to respect everyone’s right to have their own beliefs and opinions and, within limits of the law, to act as they choose.  We do not have a right to interfere with their rights, unless they do something that directly interferes with ours.

This does not preclude us from telling others about our own philosophies and beliefs, and how our belief in Christ has changed and enhanced our lives.  It does not mean that we cannot show, by our actions and expressions of love, that our way is desirable and that they too might benefit from knowing Christ Jesus as their savior.  By respecting others as they are, and showing them another way, we might be able to convert them, but if we try to force them to listen, or disparage their beliefs, we will not prevail.

We need to learn a lesson from how Jesus approached people with whom he did not agree.  For example, when He met the woman at the well, as described in John 4:5-30.  The story of the Samaritan woman draws our attention to the central theme of the Gospel, that we are to love everyone.  By approaching her, Jesus demonstrated His care for everyone, regardless of their social status.  He did not discriminate because she was a Samaritan, a woman or that she was a person of ill repute.  He spoke to her as an equal, showed her respect and offered her hope of a new life.

We can also be inspired by the Samaritan woman's excitement in sharing the good news of Jesus.  She was an outcast in her own community.  The Samaritan woman even despised herself.  But Jesus recognized her spiritual need and engaged with her.  The lesson is: that the grace of God is always there for everyone.