Page 14 - September 2025 - Truth & Tidings

hristians come in all sizes and will tolerate everyone except those who
extremes. The Corinthian Chris- are intolerant of wrong. If you express
Ctians allowed a believer to commit disapproval of sin and error, you quickly
fornication (1Co 5:1). The Colossian Chris- become a persona non grata and are la-
tians criticized a believer for consuming beled as an unloving Christian.
food (Col 2:21). Both thought they were Even worse, this thinking is a blas-
spiritual, the Corinthians because they phemous swipe at the character and
were tolerant of sin and the Colossians conduct of the Savior. The Lord Jesus
because they were tough on sin. In the once called Herod a “fox” (Luk 13:32)
end, Paul says both groups were “puffed and the Pharisees a “generation of vi-
up” (1Co 5:2; Col 2:18). pers” (Mat 12:34; 23:33). He also called
Without question, only Christ enjoyed the scribes and Pharisees “hypocrites”
perfect balance, never leaning toward li- (Mat 23:13,14,15,23,25,27,29) and “blind
cense or legalism. John says He was “full guides” (vv16,24). Many today would
of grace and truth” (Joh 1:14). Similarly, criticize Christ for being unchristian.
God told Him, “Thou hast loved righ- However, He was not lashing out with
teousness, and hated iniquity” (Heb 1:9). insults. He was courageously confronting
1
He never compromised truth to show their sinful character and conduct. There-
grace, nor did He compromise grace to fore, if we are going to be like Christ, we
maintain truth. He was untiring in His need to learn when and how to deal with
pursuit of what was right and unshakable sin and error.
in His posture against what was wrong. The Lord Jesus anticipated the need for
Paul was that way when it came to the this in our interpersonal relationships.
gospel. To the Philippians he said, “Some When He introduced the local church in
indeed preach Christ even of envy and Matthew 18, He confirmed that conflict is
strife” (Php 1:15). While their motives inevitable (Mat 18:7); however, we must
were hurtful, their message was true. So, make sacrifices (e.g., pluck out an eye or
Paul said, “I therein do rejoice” (v18). But cut off a hand) to avoid sinning against
in Galatia, men were altering the message. each other (vv1-9). Then He used the
Thus, Paul declared, “If any man preach Parable of the Lost Sheep to teach that
any other gospel unto you than that ye we should help believers who have been
have received, let him be accursed” (Gal sinned against (vv10-14).
1:9). Paul had that Christ-like discernment Next, He dealt with sin among brothers
to know when to confront and when to say by saying, “If thy brother shall trespass
nothing (forebear). against thee, go and tell him his fault
Many today confuse tolerance with between thee and him alone” (v15). This
love. The ironic contradiction is that they is a command, so problems and problem-
atic people must be addressed. The key,
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV though, is that confrontation should only
unless otherwise noted. ensue when sin has occurred. Anything

270 TRUTH kTidings September 2025