Tolerance

Mark 9:38-40

John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to prevent him because he was not following us.” But Jesus said, “Do not hinder him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. For he who is not against us is for us.”

As you and I go through life we will encounter people who may not practice their faith in exactly the same way we practice ours. These people are not necessarily false prophets or false teachers.

Our Father is a God of infinite variety - just look at nature and the world around us. Not even two snowflakes are exactly alike.

So when we come across someone who does not practice their faith in exactly the same manner we practice ours, yes, we must test the spirits to see whether they are from God but we must also learn to be tolerant of others and not try to prevent them from practicing their faith just because they do not follow us.

Afterall, the world would be a pretty dull and boring place if every snowflake looked exactly alike.

So…

How tolerant are you?

Have you tried to prevent someone who was not following you from practicing their faith? (They may actually be for you and not against you.)