Almost everything we do in life is the result of a choice. None of us chose to be born, nor was the way we were raised our choice, but once we reach the age of accountability, we are the ones that are to make most of the choices that direct our lives.
I would say all, but that would be slightly incorrect. For example, If we were walking down the road, and someone comes up behind us, and hits us with a club, our choice has little to do with the result, but if we had not been there, we would likely not have been hit with the club.
The question, in this example, is how are we to have known of the danger? We likely could not, therefore the choice was neither a wise choice, nor an unwise one. It was simply an unfortunate choice.
Now, in light of our choice, and the ramifications of it. Supposing that we have survived it, what we do in response to the resulting situation is our choice, and it may well be a very important choice.
Let us call the choice that enabled our misfortune an ignorant choice, not because we were an idiot when we made it, but because we were ignorant of its dangers.
If we had been warned beforehand of the danger of walking on this particular road, and we chose to ignore those warnings, we would bear a certain responsibility for the outcome. This would not be a choice made in ignorance, but an ignorant choice. We would have deliberately chosen to ignore the warnings, and defy wisdom in our choice.
How does this relate to tolerance? We all choose what we will tolerate, and what we will not. There are no exceptions. When we choose to tolerate something, or someone, we are at least partially responsible for what results from that tolerance. If we are deceived into this tolerance, we are not solely responsible, but we are also not without responsibility. Our choice may be irresponsible, but we are yet responsible.
The prince of darkness, the devil, or Satan, rejoices in provoking people, (the apple of God’s eye,) to make irresponsible, ignorant, rebellious, and idiotic choices. It is his goal in life. He has no compassion for anyone, only contempt. He is not stupid, and he has observed the strengths, and weaknesses of mankind for thousands of years, and revels in his ability to fool humans.
I will not offer Bible references, yet we all know that there are many supporting scriptures I could have given. I choose to focus on my theme. I invite the reader to provide supporting reverences, for their own edification.
You may not see the enormity of my assertion. You may believe that I am uttering gibberish, or clamoring on about insignificance, but I believe that I am referring to a highly important issue. A concept of enormous significance to each of our lives, for our families, our friends, our coworkers, fellow Christians, our communities, and our nation.
We all must decide how we respond to the stimuli we face, in every segment of our social interaction. When we are challenged to decide the justification of the motives, and actions of certain persons, or entities over those of others, there will be benefits to one, and ramifications to the other. There is no other option. We are talking about a zero sum game.
The prince of darkness relishes in deceiving the compassionate to be tolerant of the intolerant, at the expense of the tolerant, and far too many Christians fall in line with his plan, certain of their own justification.
Are we choosing to defend the victims of these deceitful attacks, or are we availing ourselves as instruments of offense, to be wielded as weapons against the innocent, by the intolerant.
I am responsible to make that judgement of myself, and only you can make it of yourself.
Oh, God will make the final judgement, and He will not be mocked. He knows the most intricate details of every issue, and the just judgement. We should be careful to choose wisely.
God bless you, Dave