As we look at the end of , we are given a Biblical view of tolerance. As we see more an more, the world has labeled Christians as intolerant. But it is the worldview that is the intolerant view. Where they define the tolerant and intolerant beliefs. We remove ourselves from defining righteousness, and allow God’s word to be the defining belief.
“Passions of youth” is described as those things that only make you feel good. To run with the crowd or going with the flow. We are instead to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. Pursue is described as a struggle, often being used in sports or as something soldiers do. It is something we want to do from our heart. It is also described as something done in a group.
We are not to get into arguments with those that just want to argue. This is not to say that we are not have truth conversations that can get heated, but we are not to argue just for the sake of arguing.
We cannot be about conflict. We are not hear to beat people down or argue with them. We are to be kind to everyone. We are to be able to teach, which does not mean that we are able to teach, but we have maintained a relationship with them that they are receptive to what you say. I takes time and patience to work with people. Things happen in God’s time, not ours.
We are gently push back to opposition. It is a response to those who are not on the same page. The hope is that God will grant them repentance. This is because they do not have a problem with you or someone else, but they have a problem with God. Only truth exists (through us) until they repent. At that point, their repentance will give them knowledge of that truth.
Those who are walking with disobedience, are captives of the enemy to do his will. But when they repent and gain the knowledge of truth, they come to their senses and realize their previous, fallen state.
It is our responsibility to be a vessel of God’s grace, mercy, and truth to those who oppose him. God has provided the most tolerant message in any culture or time. He does not exclude anyone, but provides an exclusive path to him through his son.
2:1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. (ESV)
22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. (ESV)
23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. (ESV)
24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, (ESV)
25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (ESV)