Tolerance

"Tolerance is a virtue for those without conviction."  -G.K. Chesterton

This quote tends to anger people in these days of tolerating anything and everything except Biblical Christianity.  That's because this Christian nation has fallen far from where it began.   We are closer to the pagan or Satanic view than the Christian perspective as a nation these days. 

It's nothing new, though.  In this age of "If it feels good, do it" and "What do we care, they're not hurting anyone" and "It doesn't bother me any" sort of attitude. 
"Do what thou wilt" is an old expression that Aleister Crowley adopted from François Rabelais, who in 1534 wrote, "DO AS THOU WILT because men that are free, of gentle birth, well bred and at home in civilized company possess a natural instinct that inclines them to virtue and saves them from vice. This instinct they name their honor". (Robinson, B.A. "The Wiccan Rule of Behavior: The Wiccan Rede. Origin of the Wiccan Rede: Updated: September 27, 2007. Available Online at: Religioustolerance.org, Visited 28 December 2007.)

And there's another similar quote, "An it harm none, do what ye will."   both quotes sound alot like "tolerance in all things" don't they?  But the Bible gives us clear moral standards for living, and sin is an offense to the holy God who created you, and whom you will stand in front of to give an account for your life.  

You might say, "I'm no pagan or Satanist, but to do what you will as long as it doesn't harm anyone sounds fine to me."  So, why shouldn't we be tolerant of all the religions and beliefs in the world?

These ideas on tolerance lead us to believe that mankind is basically good, but that's not what the Bible tells us.  Scripture tells us that there are none found good, not even one (Psalm 53:3). It says that all our "good works" are as filthy rags before the Lord (Isaiah 64:6).  But in spite of all this, it says that we'll still proclaim our own goodness in Prov 20:6.
In reality, we've sinned against a holy, righteous and just Creator who will hold us accountable for every deed, every word and even every secret thought and desire we have.  We will fall far short and find ourselves condemned by His moral Law on Judgment Day. 
There is only one hope which God has provided us a way out and that is through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6, Acts 4:12).

So that's why I cannot consider tolerance a virtue. 
It's as simple as this.  As a Christian, I cannot respect a lie, because all lies come from the father of lies (John 8:44).  And if anyone is deceived by a lie, I cannot respect their beliefs.  It's not that I don't love and respect them as a person, but they're deceived, and I cannot respect that deception - I hate it.  It will cost them for eternity if they remain deceived. 
You can hate me, but if it makes you consider your beliefs and to question and search for truth, it's worthwhile.  

"Tolerance is a virtue for those without conviction."

Go to Hell

Harsh words, huh? People say this out of anger. Some think it’s funny. But a Christian shouldn’t say something like this, should they? I mean, it’s not blasphemy, but still, it’s not a very nice thing to say. Especially if you believe what the Bible says on the subject. We shouldn’t want our worst enemy to go there.

Hell is eternal, the Bible says that those who are there are weeping and gnashing their teeth (Luke 13:28), that the torment goes on forever and ever (Revelation 14:11). Jesus said that it would be better to rip out your eye or chop off your hand if they caused you to sin, rather than to end up in hell fully intact (Matthew 18:8-10). “Eternal” is the key word here – the torment never ends, when you’ve been there for a thousand years, you’re no closer to the end of your sentence than the day you first set foot there. Forever, with no hope of pardon or change of status.

Now then, could you say that to someone, and really mean it? Could you really wish eternal torment on any person, never ending agony, forever and ever?

Ok, professed Christian, do you really believe that the Bible is the inspired Word of God? Do you believe it when it says that there is a literal place called hell where the worm never dies and the fire is never quenched (Mark 9:48) ?
Do you really believe it when it says that narrow is the path to heaven, but wide is the road to hell (Matthew 7:13)? According to the Bible we will all spend eternity in one of two places (Matthew 25:46).

So, have you told anyone to “Go to hell” today? Would you realize it if you had? If the Bible really is true, and few will find the small gate into heaven (Matthew 7:14), then that means that most of the people you come across in your every day life are actually going to hell. Do you care? God doesn't want any to perish (Ezekiel 18:32, 2 Peter 3:9).

150,000 people die every day, that’s two people every second – off into eternity at one place or the other. Did you at least give those people that the Lord placed in your path today a warning (Ezekiel 3:21)?

If you are a Christian, you know the way, you know the path, you know what it takes to get into heaven. If you truly believe and follow Jesus Christ, yet refuse to share that knowledge with other people in a way that makes sense to them, and you just keep quiet, you might as well go ahead and say it.
I'm no different from you, there are many that I’ve said this to through my own silence, and we will each be held accountable (Ezekiel 33:8-9 ). Let's not allow any more to drop into eternal torment in the lake of fire without even a warning. How are they supposed to be saved (Romans 10:13-14)? Weren't you saved yourself because you heard the Gospel?

Either explain to them how to be saved from the wrath to come, witness to them as we are commanded, or tell them to go to hell.
Because that’s what you’re doing by saying nothing.