Love to hear from and know who is listening
So I have some bad news I must share with you. I have been diagnosed with IPD stage 4 and it is incurable! What the heck is IPD you ask? IPD stands for Intolerant Personality Disorder and I am incurable. Okay I have to admit that I am joking with you at least a little bit. I am not really sick, but Intolerant Personality Disorder is a real thing, or at least some think so. According to the American Journal of Ortho-psychiatry, Racism, sexism, and homophobia do not fit into any current diagnostic category. The authors propose that those who engage in such behaviors display a form of psychopathology. Now that is a big $5 word that is means the scientific study of mental disorders.
I gotta tell you the possibility of science and the medical industry making, “Intolerant Personality Disorder,” a real thing is super scary to me, because in the world's eyes a conservative Christian, such as myself, is a very intolerant person! Let me give you some examples: First I believe that there is only one God and that He created all things. Next, I believe that there is only one way to heaven and that is to admit to God that I am a sinner, Believe Jesus is God's Son and that God sent Jesus to die on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins and Confess faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord... I believe that you were born either male or female and there is nothing you can do to change that fact. Finally, I believe that God created marriage as a partnership between one man and one woman. And this is just the beginning of my intolerance.
2 Timothy 4: 1-2 NIV In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.
Tolerance is a hot topic these days. The world that we live in often seems to cry out for tolerance. There are situations in our Christian lives when we have to deal with very difficult situations and one of these is when to be tolerate or when not to. Where do we draw the line when it comes to religious tolerance? Accepting that there are different beliefs in this world, is an accepted practice of Christianity. However, accepting that these beliefs are right, which is the modern-day world view of religious tolerance, is a totally different thing and this is where we, as Christians, need to draw the line. Accepting the doctrines and beliefs of other religions as truth is something Christians should never do!!!
Romans 16:17 NIV I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.
The Bible says that we need to show love and unity to a lost and hurting world. We must not sacrifice the truth in the name of love, nor should we deliver the truth in a less than loving manner. By “speaking the truth in love”, we are able to encourage people in their relationship with God and not push them away from Him by employing a mean-spirited, judgmental attitude.
Ephesians 4:2 NIV Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
