Should a Christian be "Tolerant"?

Some people don't eat certain types of meats.  Some don't eat meat at all.  Some will eat anything that doesn't eat them first.  Who is right; who is wrong?  The same can be said of holidays: some celebrate Christmas, some celebrate it with limitations, some refuse to acknowledge it at all.  Again, who is right; who is not?

The Bible paints a clear picture of tolerance in these instances.

Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.  For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.  Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.

Romans 14:1-3 (KJV)

One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.

Romans 14:5 (KJV)

Although the Bible clearly condemns the eating of pork and other types of meat in the Old Testament, it seems to justify the eating of pork in the New Testament.

And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be clovenfooted, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you.  Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcase shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you.
Leviticus 11:7-8 (KJV)

And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, and saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.  And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.  But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.  And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.  This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.

Acts 10:10-16 (KJV)

There are a couple of interesting things to note about this passage.  The first is that according to the context, this is an object lesson designed to teach Peter that he was not to avoid contact with the Gentiles.  The second thing to notice is that there is no implication that Peter actually ate any of the food.  

On the celebrating of holidays, the Jews were clearly commanded to celebrate and recognize specific holidays.  In the New Testament Christians are neither commanded nor forbidden to celebrate holidays.  Although many, if not most, of our holidays (Christmas, Easter, etc.) have pagan origins, the Bible is silent on forbidding us to celebrate them.  

Even meat sacrificed to false gods is not forbidden.

Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.  If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

1 Corinthians 10:25-27 (KJV)

The word shambles here refers to a meat market.  The clear indication is that whether you buy the meat yourself and take it home to cook it, or you are invited to another's home to eat, you as a Christian are under no obligation to refrain from eating it.  

Again it says in Romans:

He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.  For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.

Romans 14:6-7 (KJV)

We are each serving God to the best of our ability.  Your fellow Christians may not do everything exactly like you do, but that doesn't mean they are wrong.  We should not condemn them; they should not condemn us.  There are instances, though, where we should refrain from certain things (eating certain foods or celebrating certain holidays) if it is offensive to our brethren. 

Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.  I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.  But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.  Let not then your good be evil spoken of: for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Romans 14:13-17

We are not to even put a stumbling block before the lost:

If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

1 Corinthians 10:27-28 (KJV)

In these instances we should be tolerant of our brethren who don't believe exactly as we do in these areas.  If you want to eat meat; eat meat.  If you want to celebrate Christmas, Easter, etc.; celebrate them.  If you don't want to do these things then don't.  The key is we should all respect each others personal beliefs.  

Tolerance, however doesn't extend in all directions unrestrained.  There is clear indication in the Bible that sin (anything that runs counter to the righteousness laid forth in the Bible) should be condemned and rebuked.

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.  For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

Ephesians 5:11-12 (KJV)

Always remember, however, that the purpose of judgement isn't to assert your righteousness over others, but rather to help lead and guide them back to the truth.

Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Galatians 6:1 (KJV)

How Important is a Firm Foundation?

For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.

Romans 11:16

How Should We Speak?

Does your conversation lift others up or cut them down? Whether you are talking to someone, or talking about them, your speech should always be seasoned with grace.







There is he that speaketh like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise is healing.
Proverbs 12:18

Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.
Proverbs 12:25

A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.  The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Proverbs 15:1-2

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

Proverbs 15:7

A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
Proverbs 15:23

The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.

Proverbs 15:26

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Proverbs16:24


*********************************************************************************

An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.  A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

Proverbs 16:27-28

Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.  As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.  The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Proverbs 26:20-22

Contrary to popular opinion, it isn't always necessary to repeat everything you hear.  Even if something is true doesn't mean it needs to be repeated, or even said in the first place for that matter.

*********************************************************************************

He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.  Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

Proverbs 17:27-28

A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
Proverbs 25:11

For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
I Peter 3:10

But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;
II Peter 2:10-12