“The Intolerance Of Tolerance
Matthew 7:1-20
Sermon Series: “Modern Family”
Introduction: One of the biggest buzz words in our country right now is tolerance, and our understanding of this word greatly affects our nation and our personal lives. I agree with Tim Keller when he says that Christians should be tolerant in a social, relational, and legal sense but not in a theological sense (by which he means we cannot accept the idea that all truth claims are equal or all religions lead to God). One of the problems is that people define tolerance in different ways. In fact, D.A. Carson, in the book that I got the title of this sermon from, explains that there is an old definition of tolerance and a new definition of tolerance. The old definition of tolerance was: there is objective truth that can be known, various people or groups think they know the truth, and people should discuss their perspectives civilly in order to attempt to learn the truth. The new view of tolerance basically asserts that there is no objective truth so people only have perspectives instead of truth, and we should not try to persuade others to our perspective because theirs is equally valid and doing so is intolerant. I want us to thoughtfully examine this issue by looking at the problems with the new tolerance and a practical, biblical response to it.
Problems
1. It claims there are no absolutes, which is illogical.
2. It ends up being very intolerant.
3. It removes the need for Jesus (John 14:6).
4. It does not fit with who God is and how He works in the world (Matthew 7:13-20).
Practical Response
1. We are not to condemn but use a standard of grace (v. 1-2). Jesus is saying that true, godly judging is being discerning but not condemning. The word, “judge,” in verse 1 means “condemn.” On the other hand, 1 Corinthians 2:15a says, “But he who is spiritual judges all things,” and the word, “judges,” means “discerns.” Only Almighty God has the right, authority and power to judge in a condemning sense. The cross demonstrates that God is completely intolerant toward sin but loving toward sinners. The dumbest thing we can ever ask for is for God to give us what is fair or what we deserve. Our only hope is grace. Jesus says that whatever we measure others by is what we will be measured by. The implication is that if we have truly received grace we will understand that is our only hope and then be gracious to others.
2. Do not be a hypocrite but deal with our own sin first (v. 3-5). We are to be primarily focused on repenting of our own sin.
3. Then, we are to restore others (v. 5). After we deal with our sin, we are to help others repent and be restored. This is the opposite of running people down and condemning them. We are to hate sin because it dishonors God and hurts people. We are to love people enough to help them deal with their sin (Galatians 6:1).
4. We are to be discerning (v. 6, 15-16). How? A. The Word of God is our standard (James 2:12). B. We are to test spiritual claims (1 John 4:1-3). C. We are not to show favoritism (James 2:1). D. We are not to make an issue out of gray areas (Romans 14). E. We are not to judge the lifestyles of non-Christians, but we are to deal with sin in the church (1 Corinthians 5).
5. We are to treat people the way that we want to be treated (v. 12). Really, Christians are called to out love those who oppose them (Matthew 5:43-46, Romans 13:8-10). True tolerance is speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
