June 13 Tolerance? Matthew 7:1
Good morning from Pastor Glen Brock, Baptist Tabernacle Church, Wendell, North Carolina… “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” (Matthew 7:1)
In today’s world, much is spoken about tolerance! We are told, by individuals that are completely opposed to common sense values and behaviors, that we are to accept their “unique” perspectives and beliefs and that we are to adopt their way of thinking, in order to be “Tolerant!” Do you recall, just a few years ago, a North Carolina native won an acting award, and he/she/they/them, was the first “non-binary” individual to win this prestigious award. Dear Friends, what goes on in the minds of individuals that expect everyone to simply accept the behaviors and messages that are opposed to basic common standards of behavior and decency? Recently, a reporter interviewed an individual that identified as a dog, and was dressed to resemble a dog, and was intermittently barking like a dog, and expressed to the reporter that it was offended that she didn’t acknowledge he/she/ they/them right to be a dog! It is a difficult task to be tolerant of behaviors that are completely opposed to your standards of faith and beliefs, or standards of common sense and civility! Recently, I was called upon to counsel with a group of individuals that were dealing with a child that identified as female yet was born male! Wow! How was I to express the Love and Tolerance of the Love of Jesus, while dealing with this unsustainable belief process? Let me state this clearly, when a child (in this case, under 9 years old) declares that they identify as a female, although born male, there has been some adult influencing going on! Sadly, parents, leaders, and prominent persons are promoting the “I FEEL” mentality, and using that same process, I could identify as a “Buick,” and expect to go to a garage for a physical! FACT: A cat can have kittens in an oven, but it DOES NOT make them Biscuits! Perception, Reality, are fluid concepts in our modern world! I choose to follow my Lord, and to live my life, committed to HIS teachings and precepts, and witness to those who have adopted an alternative perception of life! 1 Peter 3:15 is an excellent scripture to build a foundation of “Tolerance!” “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” My purpose is to share the Love of God, through Jesus Christ, and that requires to Love my Neighbor, even though they are acting contrary to any standards of decency and decorum. How difficult it is for the Christian to navigate through this world! My Daddy used to tell me that I was to speak with authority without arrogance, and to live my life so that others could see Jesus in me. He added, that living a life committed to Jesus would create “Heartburn” for Satan and he would do anything possible to stifle your witness and the sharing of God’s Word! HE WAS SO CORRECT! Look around! This world is rapidly becoming a cesspool of twisted and perverted thoughts and behaviors! How are we to tolerate this invasion of our lives? How about Galatians 2:20: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Stay Strong, Stay Focused…THE BEST IS YET TO BE!
Observation: In recent days, we have been subjected to, yet another demonstration of satanic influences and the complete lack of common sense and basic human decency! One young man, with purpose and forethought, placed himself in a situation that would escalate into difficulties, reacted by stabbing another in the heart, and when the evidence was presented, and the evidence was overwhelmingly definitive of his guilt, his family and misguided others rallied around him with shouts of “Justice” and indications that because he was of a particular race, that he, somehow was treated unfairly. Folks, we are living in difficult times, and we haven’t seen anything yet! Wrong accepted as Right, Perversion accepted as normal, Respect for individuals eroded, and the call for “Justice” being shouted from the mountaintop, only to reveal that standards of morality and behavior, the Christian ethics, have been and are being systematically dismantled and the results are, and will be, a system where whatever feels good is acceptable and no one will make me feel bad about my sinful decisions! By the way, in the days to come, since standards of behavior will not exist, then sinful behaviors will not be sinful because no one will see it as wrong, since we will operate by feelings and not by the God Given Rule of Behavior! Buckle up, and hang on… Here on earth, in this life, the worst is yet to be! I leave you with Hope… John3:16, John 16:33 – Stay Strong, Stay Focused… FOR THE BELIEVER, THE BEST IS YET TO BE!