Tolerance. It is a word that is used in excess of late. The dictionary defines tolerance this way -"the ability or willingness to tolerate something, in particular the existence of opinions or behavior that one does not necessarily agree with". Tolerance should not be confused with acceptance. Acceptance is defined as ""the action or process of being received as adequate or suitable, typically to be admitted into a group". The difference between tolerance and acceptance seems to be confused or misunderstood by many. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Loving someone does not mean you agree with the way they choose to live or what they do or stand for. You may not accept their lifestyle as one you agree with or believe it's in line with what Jesus would desire from a follower of his. Still, you can be tolerant and love them because you understand that each person is free to make their own choices and is accountable to God. You are tolerant and not judging but that does not mean you accept their believe or choice.
Jesus is not always tolerant. He cares about truth. Sin is sin and tolerance of sin does not change that. Jesus was clear on the way to live as a follower of his. The next time you hear about tolerance stop and consider what is being requested. Are you being asked to pretend sin is not sin? Are you being asked to love knowing we are all sinners? Are you being asked to accept a belief or lifestyle that you disagree with as acceptable? Is what you are hearing in alignment with what Jesus would say is the way?
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it”. Matthew 7:13-14
