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Tolerance in Scripture

The Character of God• God patiently tolerates evil as He waits for men

to repent. (See II Peter 3:7–9.)

• Jesus spent time with sinners because of His great love for them. (See Luke 15:1–10.)

• Jesus did not condemn the adulterous woman nor condone her sin, but encouraged her to do what was right. (See John 8:3–11.)

• The Holy Spirit bears with our weakness and im-maturity and He prays for us when we don’t know how to pray. (See Romans 8:26.)

Key ConceptsOur world is saying that tolerance is letting people decide for themselves what is right and wrong, and whatever they decide is right. However, God has given clear instruction on what is right. We either obey (do His will) or sin (do our will). When people disobey God they bring His wrath on them. (See Colossians 3:6.) God, in His tolerance, withholds that wrath. Thus, biblical tolerance is not about ignoring sin, but about showing patience toward the offender so he has time to see his need and turn to the Lord.

The way Jesus, the sinless Son of God, spent time with people and visualized great things for them (Peter—Matthew 16:16–19, the disciples—Acts 1:4–8, the man possessed of devils—Mark 5:18–20) demonstrates the value He places on each individual person. Instead of focusing on the flaws of others, we can ask the Lord to help us visualize who they can be in Christ.

When we show tolerance (realizing that God is work-ing in each person’s life) it does not mean that we compromise (accepting the sinful practices of people by making those practices my own). We do not accept sin or call it “good,” because we love the people strug-gling with those sins and want them to find freedom from their bondage.

It is helpful to distinguish between clear commands in Scripture and personal applications. Whether others are directly disobeying God, or God has led them to a different application, we should still extend grace to them. For example:

• When God gives clear commands, we are to obey them despite what others say or do. Commands are clear Scriptural statements. For example, “Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me” (I Corinthians 11:24). Believers are commanded to observe the Lord’s Table to remember Christ’s sacrifice for us.

• There are also personal applications that God leads us to do that He may not lead someone else to do. One person may apply the command to ob-serve the Lord’s Table on a monthly basis; some-one else may believe that it is better to observe the Lord’s Table every week. Such differences should not hinder our unity as Christians but be tolerated as a difference of opinion.

Having the mindset “others may but I cannot” helps us tolerate Christians with different personal appli-cations.

Tolerance in My Life• Joshua 24:15 - Do I focus on the shortcomings of

others and try to change them, or do I focus on making the right decision for myself before God?

• Matthew 18:32–33 - Why should we be tolerant of others?

• Romans 12:9–10 - Is it Scriptural to hate the sin and love the sinner?

• Romans 14:1–23 - What are some examples of things we as Christians should tolerate?

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Philippians 2:2“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be

likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.”

Memory Verse Game:Unscramble: Write out the words or phrases of the memory verse on separate sheets of paper. Shuffle the papers. Randomly give one to each child. Instruct the children to line up so that their papers are in the correct order of the verse. Time the children to see how fast they can line up in the correct order. Have the children swap papers and race to line up in the correct order faster than before.

Doers of the Word:Have the children write about a time they were able to apply this verse in their lives. For example: “I was irritated because my younger brother is very messy. The Lord brought this verse to mind and reminded me that he is young and still learning and I could lovingly encourage him to be like-minded and clean up after himself. Instead of complaining, I smiled at him and offered to show him how to clean up his mess.”

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Tolerance Memory Verse

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Tolerance in the Life of Ananias

1. What made being tolerant of Saul espe-cially difficult for Ananias? “And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem” (Acts 9:1–2). What do people do that is hard to tolerate?

2. What was God doing in Saul’s life? “And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink” (Acts 9:8–9). How might God be working in the lives of those who are challenging for us to tolerate?

3. Why did Ananias go to Saul, even though he knew that Saul was arresting Chris-tians? “And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul . . .” (Acts 9:11). Why should we reach out to unsaved people who may seem in-tolerant of believers?

4. How did God view Saul? “. . . He is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15). When we see our ene-mies from God’s perspective, how does our response change?

5. How did Ananias show love to Saul? “And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that ap-peared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 9:17). What can I do to show love to people who are difficult to get along with?

6. What impact did the tolerance of Ananias have on the church? “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied” (Acts 9:31). What might be the result if all believers saw potential in people instead of focusing on their irritating behaviors?

Read Acts 9:1–31 as a family, and answerthe following questions:

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Ananias Prays for Saul the Persecutor“Brother Saul, the Lord . . . hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight,

and be filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 9:17b).

Tolerance is acceptance of others as unique expressions of specific character qualities in varying degrees of maturity

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Tolerance Activity

Introduction:This month we are asking the Lord to develop tolerance in our lives. What a privilege to respond to the work He is doing to change us into the image of His Son! Today we are going to discuss how to tolerate people’s immaturity by being a channel of God’s love to them. It is the love of Christ that accepts us where we are, and it is His love that empowers us to accept people who irritate us. As we are willing to share God’s love with others, He will be able to build tolerance into our lives.

Supplies: A clear, tall glass, a penny, ice cubes, a measuring cup, and water.

Activity Instructions:Place the penny and ice cubes in the bottom of the glass. The penny represents us, and the ice represents irritation. What do people do that irritates us? Talk too much? Show up late? Leave the room a mess? Have bad manners? These irritations show a lack of maturity that can be very difficult to tolerate.

When we focus on ourselves and how irritated we feel, our goal quickly becomes to change the other person for our own comfort. However, this is a selfish goal that causes resentment and friction in relationships. See how close the ice is to the penny? This represents us with irritations crowding in around us and bothering us.

On the other hand, tolerant people do not think about themselves. They consider others. Instead of being irritated by others’ immaturity, they are burdened for others to know the love of God and respond to His working in their lives.

Pour 1/4 cup water into the glass. Continue to add water, 1/4 cup at a time. Each time water is added, discuss a way we can show love to people who irri-tate us. (Smile, spend time with them, play together, give a gift or card, offer words of encouragement, pray for them, help with chores or projects, etc.)

Watch the ice rise farther and farther away from the penny each time water is added. In the same way, the more love we pour into a relationship, the more distant the irritation becomes. In fact, in time, the irritation may totally melt away.

We do not show love in order to get rid of the irritation, but it is true that love for the person will change how much we are bothered by his imma-turity. Ask God for love for the person who is irritating you and be alert for ways you can channel His love to that person.

Floating “Irritations”

“Just As I Am, Without One Plea”

The salt-laden sea breeze wafted over a row of houses in the seaside resort town of Brighton, England, and flowers bloomed in early-May luxuriance along the walks. The cheeriness of the outdoors was a contrast to the unsettled spirit of the young woman inside one of the homes.

Charlotte Elliott leaned back in one of the straight-backed dining room chairs. Her face bore a look of distressed surprise. She could not believe the evangelist guest from Geneva, Switzerland, would ask such offensive questions, especially at the mealtime table! “Are you a Christian? Have you experienced Christ?” His direct questions caught her off-guard. The thirty-three-year-old woman was definitely offended by his inquiry. How dare he speak of such personal matters! Charlotte saw no place for discussing one’s religion publicly. She was not about to tolerate such intrusion and quickly and petulantly replied that her salvation was of no business to him.

Growing up, Charlotte had been a sweet, happy, and carefree young lady. People praised her ability as a portrait artist, and she derived both pleasure and applause as a noted writer of humorous poetry. The world, it seemed, lay at the feet of this charming young woman.

Then came disaster—softly, inexorably, on slow but sure feet. As she neared thirty, Charlotte’s hitherto good health began to fail, turning her into a semi-invalid. Her outward happiness was shattered, and she became morose, bitter, and depressed as expressed by her words on that beautiful spring day in 1822.

Later, Charlotte apologized for her reaction to Dr. Malan. According to her testimony, she could not shake the gentleman’s questions about her soul. God was patiently drawing her to Himself.

“You are tired of yourself, aren’t you?” Dr. Malan asked, his eyes kind. “You are holding to your hate and anger because you have nothing else in the world to cling to. Consequently, you have become sour, bitter, and resentful.”

They talked on, and God began to work in Charlotte’s long-embittered heart. At last she asked, “If I

wanted to become a Christian and to share the peace and joy you possess, what would

I do?”

Dr. Malan smiled. “You would give yourself to God just as you are now, with your fightings and fears, hates and

loves, pride and shame.”

“I would come to God just as I am? Is that right?”

Hymn History of

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The Swiss minister answered in the affirmative, and Charlotte Elliott laid herself at Christ’s feet, asking Him to change her. And He did! John 6:37 became a special verse to her: “. . . him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

Dr. Malan demonstrated God’s love and acceptance to Charlotte by bearing with her immaturity and resistance. God used his tolerance to bring Charlotte to the light of the Gospel!

Charlotte’s life was transformed. Though still an invalid, she was now filled with the joy of the Lord! She wrote, “God sees, God guides, God guards me. His grace surrounds me, and His voice continually bids me to be happy and holy in His service just where I am.” She began writing again—this time, hymns.

Her best-known hymn, however, was written in a time of great physical weakness years after her conversion. Charlotte’s pastor brother was holding a bazaar to try to raise money to build a school for the children of poor clergymen. Charlotte deeply desired to help this worthwhile project, but, in her fragile physical state, she felt helpless. She turned to the Lord, offering all she could: herself, just as she was. She put pen to paper and wrote five short but powerful verses underneath the heading, “. . . him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”

The resulting leaflet sold like wildfire across England and raised more money for the school than the entire bazaar, becoming what some have called “the most famous invitational hymn in history.”

“Just as I am, without one plea But that Thy blood was shed for me,

And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come! I come!”

Each verse is deeply moving, but the third verse is especially poignant when we consider Charlotte’s own story:

“Just as I am, tho’ tossed about With many a conflict, many a doubt, Fightings and fears within, without,

O Lamb of God, I come! I come!”

We need to come to Christ—not waiting to clean ourselves up, but simply coming and laying our sins, stains, and infirmities before God, asking Him to cleanse us. We cannot do it ourselves. He is the only One Who can, and He desires to take and cleanse us! He graciously accepts us as we are (wretched, hateful, filthy sinners) and turns us into His children, garbing us with His glorious white robes of righteousness! May we, too, accept others as they are and encourage them toward the One Who alone can transform their lives.

Bibliography:• Osbeck, Kenneth W., 101 Hymn Stories, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, 1982.• Morgan, Robert J., Then Sings My Soul, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, 2003.• Barrows, Cliff, Crusade Hymn Stories, Hope Publishing Company, Chicago, 1967.• Johnson, Guye, Treasury of Great Hymns and Their Stories, Bob Jones University Press, Greenville, SC, 1986.

Hymn History of “Just As I Am, Without One Plea” page 2