A Study of Intolerance

Throughout my education in the field of psychology, I had to study various tests and conduct my own research. I once decided to examine the effects of cinema on one’s mood, contrasting humor and heartbreaking drama. I showed film clips to my subjects, observing them and later asking these individuals to take a few written tests. I had some interesting results, including the discovery that sad movies make one tired. I even made a girl cry. As a result of various projects and classes, I realized that drawing a conclusion based on a small group of people and applying it to a larger population can be difficult and dangerous. Because Christians have faith, convictions, and speak out against sin, we are judged as intolerant. Those who start wars and harm others in the name of God further distort and disfigure the image the world holds of Christians.

During the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matt. 5-7), there are several instances at which Jesus is clearly outspoken and communicates his intolerance towards hypocrisy and various other sins. In Matthew 12:1-8 and Mark 7:1-13, Jesus is intolerant of those who are bound completely to tradition. In these same passages, Jesus is tolerant of the actions of his disciples that are contrary to the laws of the Pharisees. We can conclude that Jesus was intolerant when sin was involved. Christianity doesn’t include passing judgment on others while ignoring our own sins. Our intolerance must be directed towards sin, especially if it is our own.

Don't Hide the Light

The image of war is one that calls forth a response from the very depths of our souls. Those involved in a war personally are changed and profoundly affected by their experiences. The Bible contains many references to war. These references include both physical wars against men and spiritual wars fought within ourselves. There is a war being waged against Satan, and to the victor goes the souls of mankind. War is real. It is strategic, difficult, painful, and involves personal sacrifice. War is to be approached with seriousness, dedication, and loyalty. War is a helpful image when applied to the lives of Christians. There is such an incredible variety of influences in this world that are not satisfied until we have given our complete allegiance to them. We typically walk through the middle of the fields of war, never really choosing a side and never gaining victory.

I do not want to make light of the illustration of war. However, it seems that we often apply this as a two dimensional, black and white approach to life. We choose sides, labeling everything and everyone as either good or bad. This is a disservice we do to ourselves and to the world we live in. Matthew 5:13-16 reminds us that we are salt and light to this world. Salt doesn’t attack and destroy food, it flavors and preserves it. Light should not be hidden, but shared. We are more than conquerors. We are salt and light.

Christquest.com

When I am traveling, I rely heavily on Mapquest.com and Google Maps. In this advanced technological age, I no longer have to rely on unclear, difficult directions. It is hard enough to put aside my pride in order to ask a local gas station attendant for assistance. When my request is followed by a string of incoherent references to randomly numbered roads, counted traffic lights, and McDonald’s locations, I tend to get a little frustrated. When I find myself lost, I simply improvise my course and plot my own path. Like my ancestors, I use the position of the sun and the growth of moss on trees to assist my inborn sense of direction. I repeat the phrase “Never Eat Soggy Waffles” to myself in order to determine my route. In these cases, I find myself gone astray and overcome with fear. In downtown Rochester Hills, I once came upon a street aptly named “Diversion”.

Mankind needs direction. We are too imperfect and we are basically not equipped to navigate life without God’s help. However, this doesn’t stop us from trying. Most of us, even those who have given our lives to God as Christians, decide we are able to call the shots. We decide that we know our limits. We think we know how many drinks is enough, how close we can be physically, and what defines gossip. Jesus is “the way, the truth, and the life”. Jesus should define our limits and direction.