Tolerance - Does God tolerate it?

SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 15:1-5

“In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign.  He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother's name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem.  He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done.  The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.

The LORD afflicted the king with leprosy until the day he died, and he lived in a separate house.  Jotham the king's son had charge of the palace and governed the people of the land.”

OBSERVATION:

Something about this story immediately rubs me the wrong way.  Azariah does what is right in the eyes of the Lord.  He didn’t tear down the places of worship for other religions, but it’s not like he worshipped there.  It doesn’t sit well with my 21st century American values and even theology.  I really had to pray this one thru.  “God, you really messed up Azariah’s life because he didn’t make other people stop worshipping other gods?  It’s not like he worshipped them.”

Thru this time of meditating on this passage and listening for God’s help in understandng, I began to see the folly tollerance.  It seems that many 21st century American Christians are a lot like Azariah.  They have come to believe that as long as they personally  honor God that is enough.  They believe that they have no obligation, in fact they have no right to speak against false religions and ungodly practices.  Our culture has said that to speak against another’s choice to practice even obvious harmful/unethical is wrong - especially if you are a Christian.

APPLICATION:

I am reminded of my role in this world as a Christian - to be an ambassador, a prophetic voice, a priesthood.  I have a responsibility to stand for righteousness and Christian values.  Not because it’s my favorite, but because it is true - it’s not just my choice among many other choices.  It is truth.  I have walked with God long enough to know He is good and right and is the hope for the world.  It does not have to be arrogant to speak against ungodliness.  I have had to tear down things in my own life that were contrary to God’s best for my life.

In fact it is a heart of compassion and love that should drive us to make a plea for godliness righteousness.  To contend for biblically based morality and a government that holds to a Christian faith.

PRAYER:

Father help me to be a voice for righteousness without being an obnoxious jerk.  Let my God-breathed convictions override my desire to be PC or tollerant.  Father, my greatest desire is to be an effective infuence - helping people go from death to life.  Offering hope, not an angry voice.  Offering truth, not a debate.  Offering Christ.  In Jesus name - AMEN!