A tolerance that allows sin to prosper ...is just as evil as an intolerance that condemns people for the color of their skin, or because they speak out against evil. The Bible tells us that God not only condemned Sodom and Gomorrah for tolerating evil, but also condemned Babylon, Gibeah, Egypt, and other nations for the same reason (Judges 19:15-30, Genesis 19). Therefore, tolerating evil is not a virue, no matter how hard Satan wants you to believe that it is...We are not to tolerate it, nor are we to be intolerant of those who condemn it.
...the anti-Christian element in our society now portrays all who condemn sin as intolerant, and that is where Christians must draw the line...Because some in our society would like to see all religions worship together, they want Christians to tolerate falsehood and condone those who contradict God's Word..."
- excerpt taken from the article, entitled - "The Sin Of Tolerating Evil" - by Gary Ray Branscome
Now read the words from the Biblical Illustrator which says - "The world delights in calling the Church intolerant, how can it be otherwise of evil? It cannot smile upon moral wrong."
The Sermon Bible Commentary added - "The Gospel is essentially intolerant - intolerant, not merely of evil in the abstract, but of evil men."
We need to stop and ask ourselves some questions -
As the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, are we afraid of the charge of "intolerance"? Do we dread the thought of being called "narrow-minded" or of giving offence to the godless?
What does Jesus say about all of this? What does His Word say?
In this update, we want to look at a virtue or a grace which the Lord highly commended in the Church at Ephesus.
Do you know what it is?
In Revelation 2:2-3, Jesus said this about this working Church - "I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for My name's sake hast labored, and hast not fainted."
Among other things, we see that He congratulated this ambitious and aggressive Church for one outstanding feature as expressed by these words - "...and how thou canst not bear them which are evil..."
To Him, their holy intolerance of evil was highly commendable. It caught His eye. It was something very striking. It seemed top-priority with Him. It was something that was so pleasing in His sight that it caused Him to recognize it as an impressive virtue.
And might we ascertain from this - that this is one virtue that He would like to see in all of His churches?
The Church at Ephesus did not have an intolerance which stemmed from conceit, spiritual pride, abject narrowness, gross ignorance, or blind bigotry. Nor did they have a tolerance which was a mere giving in to wickedness because they did not have enough zeal for God and His righteousness to withstand it.
No, even though this Church was surrounded by many hostile influences, yet they still maintained a distinguished jealousy for the right...a zeal for the truth...and a repugnance to wrong.
They remained keen and true in moral sensibility. And the Lord greatly recognized them for it!
They had a zeal for the truth - a zeal against what was evil...a zeal against men's sins...a zeal according to knowledge...and a zeal which proceeded with discretion. They didn't excuse sin - much less allow it.
They could not "bear them which are evil." That meant that they could not endure nor tolerate evil men - men who lived immoral lives and held erroneous doctrines. They had no sympathy with their doctrines or practices. On the contrary, they were utterly opposed to them. They had an inward abhorrence and detestation of them in their minds.
This particular grace or virtue ascribed to this Church had a name in the classical Greek which was - "hatred of evil." The person of whom the grace was found was called - "hater of evil."
Think about what is being said here.
The Lord Jesus highly applauded this church for being "haters of evil."
This meant that they were not able to tolerate evil or evil people. They had such a holy zeal for the truth - a zeal for the honor of the Gospel and establishment of God's kingdom - that they would not endure either persons erroneous in judgment or those lewd in their lifestyles.
Jesus commended them for not having lost the power of hating evil.
The Scriptures confirm this in saying -
"...Abhor that which is evil..." (Romans 12:9)
"...I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me." (Psalm 101:3)
In response to this, Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers made this statement - "No man loves God truly who cannot hate evil."
So, no matter how cruel, fierce, relentless, or unjust the sufferings might be that the present-day Churches' enemies inflict on her, these must not daunt, dismay, or deter her from standing for the Truth against evil.
By the grace of God, we at Walking In Truth Ministry are striving to always keep this as our top priority - to carry on the fight so that the truth of the Lord shall be known - no matter the cost.
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I wanted to share an update with you that I posted on Facebook the other day. This is what I wrote -
God is calling His Church to - Wake Up! and Stand Up!
We have an enemy! It is called - ISLAM!
"Greater is He Who is in us than He that is in Islam!"
We serve the True & Living God! He has given us the Power - over all the Power of the Enemy!
Let's use it and bring this "Giant" down - in the NAME of JESUS!
Saints of God, if you have been keeping up with the news (not the mainstream media), you are fully aware that we as Christians are in a Spiritual War - like never before. Throughout the world, it is evident that our major enemy for right now is - Islam!
In order to prove my point - here is the link to a recent article of 11 Christian missionaries who were crucified and beheaded by Muslims in Syria.
http://www.charismanews.com/world/52438-11-christian-missionaries-crucified-and-beheaded
Also, allow me to share a link with you of a particular show called - "It's Supernatural" - where Sid Roth interviewed Shira Sorko-Ram (the daughter of the late Gordon Lindsay - the founder of Christ For the Nations Bible Institute where I attended Bible School). Please take the time to watch this for it is very informative and needful - especially for those living in America.
In fact, let me say it in this way - You must see this! You will be shocked at what is going on in the background of our nation - of which the mainstream media is very silent!
http://sidroth.org/television/tv-archives/shira-sorko-ram-0
Over the past few months, the Lord has been stressing over and over again to me the matchless, awesome power that we as the Church have in His Name. Even if you are a Baby Christian or don't feel very spiritual, you have enormous power against the enemy - and especially this enemy of Islam. Remember - the power is not in - YOU! It is in JESUS and what He accomplished on the Cross!
Like never before - we, as the Church of the Living God - the true Church - must stand up and use the authority that has been given to us by our "Commmander in Chief" - the Lord Jesus Christ!
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I will not be doing a Live Broadcast (sending out a podcast message) this Friday (10/9/2015) due to administrative work for the ministry that needs to be done at this time.
I will resume sending out a message again next Tuesday. In the meantime, feel free to visit my Spreaker page at www.Spreaker.com - "The Connie Giordano Show" - to catch up on any audio messages that you missed.
Also, check out the 5 "links" boxes on the left-hand side of this page which will also lead you to many of my past messages.
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Every month, I come to you asking for your financial support. Some respond. But the vast majority of you do not. Yet, month after month, many of you have expressed that you are extremely blessed by the Bible Messages - the "words in season" - that come your way via Walking In Truth Ministry.
Will you consider showing your appreciation with your generous financial gift for this month?
To all those who faithfully support us every month with your financial gift, we want to say - "Thank You" - from the bottom of our hearts. We could never have accomplished all that we are doing without your help! May the Lord reward you richly in this life and in the life to come! We know that He will!
If you would like to be a blessing to this ministry or a faithful supporter, you can make your check out to - Walking In Truth Ministry - and mail it to the following address -
Walking In Truth Ministry
P.O. Box 383016
Duncanville, TX 75138-3016
Or, if you prefer to use Paypal, you can send your financial gift to - [email protected]
You can also send a Money gram - if that means of exchange will work better for you.
We are a nonprofit organization with a tax exemption status.
Thank you ahead of time for your gracious gift,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
© COPYRIGHT Connie Giordano - All Rights Reserved