Ephesians 5
One of the accusations often pointed at
God’s people is that we are intolerant. In our politically correct society this
is like the unforgiveable sin. And to be clear, when I speak of intolerance I
do not in any way excuse racism, or other forms of bigotry. God calls us to love
people and to treat them with kindness. Kindness and love, however, do not
accept every behavior and idea as good or even acceptable.
Where I believe people get confused on
this point by equating tolerance with approval. These things are not the same. Tolerance
treats people with respect, but does not always approve of a person’s ideas or
the actions. Tolerance also has limits, and there comes a time when it is set
aside in the face of things that are harmful to the individual and the people
around him or her.
God calls us to imitate Him as beloved
children and to walk in love. However, sexual immorality of all stripes, every
form of impurity, and covetousness (which is idolatry), “must not even be named
among you.” In other words, these should not be tolerated among God’s people in
any form. How do we handle the situation when a person is wrapped up in such
behavior? We do it as beloved children who walk in love. Love leads as we gently
seek to restore the sinner – even as we ourselves would want to be treated if
we were caught in sin.
We are urged to “look carefully” at our
walk – the way we live. We are urged to recognize that the days are evil, and
we do not want to foolishly submit to that evil. We are children of the light
who, in Christ, are focused on such things as are true, right, and good.
Indeed, our calling is to shine the light of Christ’s love and forgiveness –
the light of the cross and empty tomb – to dispel the darkness of these evil
days.
All of this is rooted in who we are in
Jesus. We recognize that once we were darkness in sin, but now we are light in
Christ. He has enlightened us, made us aware of our sin and given us faith in
His salvation. That experience of His grace transforms us. It moves us to
confess our sin, to live as one who is loved by God, and to share the hope that
we have in Christ with others by confronting their sin (being intolerant) and
showing them forgiveness in Christ (true tolerance).
Lord, help me speak up against sin and show
people Your grace. Amen.
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