This is
happening in Europe, especially Germany at the moment. Genuine refugees with
desperate needs are being overshadowed by Islamic intolerant and arrogant
infiltrators. Because of their views about women, culture, sharia law and
infidels they have violated much of their hosting countries. The results of
their belief system is to be intolerant while grasping all the benefits
possible. Meanwhile, the desperately needy suffer. A strong backlash is surging
within some of the host countries which can only bring more sorrow to all
concerned.
What is
the Christian response to a one-sided tolerance?
Are we to
compromise our faith and heritage for some perceived niceness to the
ungrateful? Is tolerance merely compromise leading to surrender? Our Christian
faith calls on us to care for those in need. It requires us to try and
understand and in a much abused word ‘to love’ them. This demand places us
under strong pressure to be patient and make allowances. We are facing this in
regard to Christmas, Australia Day, Anzac day, Easter, planning permission for
mosques and halal certification. It is a big galling I must admit when this is
demanded but not reciprocated in Islamic countries. Tony Abbot had his faults
but he recognised a problem from a belief system which wanted our agreement to
their demands. It was a one way street. They didn’t want to adopt or tolerate
our way of life. What is brewing? Strife!
Some may
ask how Jesus would handle this matter! We know He was tolerant but He had a
cut-off point. He warned certain cities about future judgement because of their
abuse and rejection of His grace (Matthew 11). Also there is the dramatic
episode of Him overturning the table of the merchants in the Temple. Towards us
the Lord has been patient over many years but we also know He will and has
acted with discipline. What then is to be expected when His Name, His word and
His people are violated and exploited? Judgement! The book of Revelation is a no compromise
comment on that.
While we
believe vengeance belongs to the Lord we are not excused from defending and
declaring our faith and morality. Nor should we be silent in urging our
Government to stand true to our Christian heritage, values and history. If the
Government puts tolerance before truth and votes before virtue then our society
is sold-out. The tyranny of the toughest will dominate and humiliate.
Grace is
still to motivate tolerance with long-sufferance. This doesn’t mean silence or
surrender. I wonder what the Good Samaritan would have done if the robbers had
jumped on him, using the wounded man as a trap? I think he would have defended
the wounded and resisted the attackers. Surely that is where tolerance and
justice meet.
Ray Hawkins Jan 25 2016.
