Hi, guys and gals! Today we are going to be talking about limits of toleration.
Before we do that, I would just like to comment on the way Locke sets up his writing. I love the format he used. He answered some common questions about his topics, which put more light on the subject. I love it! His writing has always been easily understandable and relatable.
Anyways, back to what y'all want to read. There was a statement that really stood out to me while reading his section on limitations:
"If someone strays from the right path, that is his misfortune, not yours; and your belief that he will be miserable in the after-life is not a reason for you to give him a bad time in his present life" (9).
I am not blogging about this to call out anyone. I am blogging about this because it is something that still happens today. I have seen people who claim to be Christians completely avoid someone or refuse to acknowledge or help someone because they have strayed from the path. As Christians, we should take any and every opportunity to spread the Gospel. There are some instances where we do not always do it, but we should not just completely avoid someone. I was always taught to at least tolerate people and their different beliefs and backgrounds, even if you don't necessarily like them. Even if someone has strayed or believes something different, I am still going to help them and try not to make their lives worse. My youth pastor's wife always told us to be polite, tolerant, and even friendly to those who are not on the right path. But when they start to influence you negatively, it is time to distance yourself from them a little.
We also shouldn't put another person's faith on our shoulder. We shouldn't be the reason someone has faith. God is the reason. If they "backslide" or stray, it is their misfortune, not ours. You probably wouldn't be able to properly function if you thought "Oh I'm the reason *insert name here* isn't on the right path!" People come to Christ through Him, not through what you make them do. Yes, it is upsetting that it happened, but Locke says that it is his misfortune.
This whole rant was based on things that I have seen, not on anyone particular. I hope my thoughts made sense to you guys.
Sydney Snow
I commented on Zane's and Kayla's posts.
Before we do that, I would just like to comment on the way Locke sets up his writing. I love the format he used. He answered some common questions about his topics, which put more light on the subject. I love it! His writing has always been easily understandable and relatable.
Anyways, back to what y'all want to read. There was a statement that really stood out to me while reading his section on limitations:
"If someone strays from the right path, that is his misfortune, not yours; and your belief that he will be miserable in the after-life is not a reason for you to give him a bad time in his present life" (9).
I am not blogging about this to call out anyone. I am blogging about this because it is something that still happens today. I have seen people who claim to be Christians completely avoid someone or refuse to acknowledge or help someone because they have strayed from the path. As Christians, we should take any and every opportunity to spread the Gospel. There are some instances where we do not always do it, but we should not just completely avoid someone. I was always taught to at least tolerate people and their different beliefs and backgrounds, even if you don't necessarily like them. Even if someone has strayed or believes something different, I am still going to help them and try not to make their lives worse. My youth pastor's wife always told us to be polite, tolerant, and even friendly to those who are not on the right path. But when they start to influence you negatively, it is time to distance yourself from them a little.
We also shouldn't put another person's faith on our shoulder. We shouldn't be the reason someone has faith. God is the reason. If they "backslide" or stray, it is their misfortune, not ours. You probably wouldn't be able to properly function if you thought "Oh I'm the reason *insert name here* isn't on the right path!" People come to Christ through Him, not through what you make them do. Yes, it is upsetting that it happened, but Locke says that it is his misfortune.
This whole rant was based on things that I have seen, not on anyone particular. I hope my thoughts made sense to you guys.
Sydney Snow
I commented on Zane's and Kayla's posts.
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