Introduction 

One series of fantasy novels I read/ listen to often is centered around the Heralds and Companions of the Kingdom of Valdemar. These honest, others- serving Heralds answer to only the monarch of the realm, who also must be a Herald. They all, the monarch included, serve the various peoples of Valdemar, dispensing justice as well as fighting the enemies of the people, whether from within or outside the realm. A major principle of the society of Valdemar is that “There is no one way.” People are allowed to follow whatever god or goddess they want, whatever customs they desire, as long as they do not harm their neighbors. When it comes to what is right and wrong: acceptance of others’ differences is required. No one is allowed to force one’s beliefs and behaviors on another.

Fundamental Principle of the Kingdom

This acceptance of others and their different standards of right and wrong is fundamental to God’s Kingdom. The scribes and Pharisee teachers of the centuries around the birth of Jesus, God’s Anointed One, had strict rules of conduct, designed to prevent the breaking of any of the instructions (torah) of the Law. These religious leaders were intent on purifying Israel so the Messiah would come and throw out the Roman oppressors. As the secular leaders in the Sanhedrin, the national high council, they did what they could to enforce the Law among the people of Israel. Yet, they did nothing about helping tax collectors and sinners to behave better (Matthew 23:1-4). Rather, they shunned these low- lifes; they kept them away from the God who could help them live better lives (Luke 15:1-7).

Jesus taught people to follow the one God (Matthew 22:26-28). He also taught the people to follow the second greatest commandment (:39). Part of that instruction was 

“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven (Luke 6:37).” 

He urged them to clean up their own lives before presuming to help others to clean up theirs. (Matthew 7:3-5).

Instead of shunning them, Jesus partied with tax collectors and sinners in order to bring them spiritual healing (Matthew 9:10-13). Jesus accepted them in their ungodly beliefs and behaviors and worked to bring them into right standing with God. I believe He spent a lot of time praying Holy Spirit would work in these peoples hearts and minds.

Acceptance of Other Believers

Paul’s letter to the Romans instructed the same thing. First, the apostle wrote to the house gatherings in Colossae to “bear with one another” (Colossians 3:12-14). This was not simply to coax people away from ungodly behaviors to more acceptable ones. It was to accept what another believed was a required custom when the one did not.

Paul addressed this among the believers in Rome. Jewish believers among the Romans considered it important to celebrate various Jewish holy days and customs that the Gentiles did not. The apostle told them to honor each other’s choices of beliefs and customs (Romans 14). He told the “strong” in faith to not offend the sensibilities of “weaker” brothers and sisters.

Intolerance of Blatant Evil

On the other hand, Jesus and Paul instructed His followers to deal firmly with people who refused to abandon their ungodly behaviors. 

If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault… (Matthew 18:15-20)

If the whole gathering of believers could see no good in a person’s actions, he or she must be turned out of the community. They were to treat the person with the same love and compassion as tax collectors but not allowed to relate as a family member.

Paul heard about a man doing something “that even pagans do not tolerate” (1 Corinthians 5:1). He called for the whole ecclesia to expel the man so he would feel the consequences of such behavior. Then, the apostle called for the re-acceptance of the man (2 Corinthians 2:6-8).

Acceptance of the Ungodly Brings Them to God

Jesus partied with tax collectors and sinners. He did it to draw them back into relationship with the Father. God’s Anointed told His followers to not condemn another’s behavior. He instructed them to cast out only those who refused to change their behaviors.

Paul told the Romans to bear with other believers’ different standards of beliefs and behaviors. He wrote to the Corinthians to expel the man whose behavior even the pagans did not accept. Then he told them to accept the man back when he had changed his ways. He wrote “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance” (Romans 2:4).