Tolerance is one of many words that our culture has redefined. There is a fog over the definition and application of this word. The basic definition found in the dictionary is: acceptance of different views, tolerating of somebody or something and allowing for deviation. But that is not the definition that is primarily practiced in the public square and within the media in America today. There are subversive forces at work changing definitions of words and values and few people are aware of it and even fewer call the public to think and discuss these issues. It is often a mob mentality approach and anyone who questions how words are used or culture’s pop values is immediately demonized as being intolerant. The current accepted definition and practice of tolerance is: tolerance is conditional and only practiced if the other person or group is in agreement with pop culture’s values. This definition is being practiced publically all across our nation.

Now, how has it been that the Church in America and Christians have often been labelled as being “intolerant”? The first obvious answer is because the Church’s biblical values often have clashed with pop culture’s values and when the new definition of tolerance is applied the Church is labelled intolerant. The second reason is a deeper more complex reason that I want to drill down into a bit. Could it be that the Church and Christians have sometimes actually been “intolerant” according to the real definition of tolerance? Could it be that in our zeal to demand tolerance of our biblical views that we do not come across with a heart of tolerance? Please take some time to mediate on these verses and let them sink into your heart:

“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin.” Romans 2:4 (NLT)

This verse recently hit me like a ton of bricks. If I am not regularly overwhelmed by God’s kindness, tolerance and patience with me, I cannot truly be tolerant of others or even come across as being tolerant of others. So, in the Church’s zeal to uphold biblical values (which we should) are we doing it with a heart that is overwhelmed with the tolerance God has for us? Being tolerant does not mean having no conviction! It means that our conviction must be expressed with a heart that has been touched by God’s tolerance. Now take some time to read the beginning of Romans chapter 2 verse 1, where Paul is exhorting the believers in their approach to those who are not living according to the scriptures:

“You may think you can condemn such people, but you are just as bad, and you have no excuse! When you say they are wicked and should be punished, you are condemning yourself, for you who judge others do these very things.” Romans 2:1 (NLT)

God takes sin seriously and so should we! But He and He alone is to be the judge! Read verses 2 and 3:

“And we know that God, in his justice, will punish anyone who does such things. Since you judge others for doing these things, why do you think you can avoid God’s judgment when you do the same things?” Romans 2:2-3 (NLT)

Our place, as followers of Christ, is to live under God’s kindness and tolerance and let His heart  lead us to turn from our sin and humbly repent. And we are never to forget the foundation of His loving tolerance:

“For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are. But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as we promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.” Romans 3:20-25 (NLT)

The fog over tolerance is only truly cleared up when our hearts become overwhelmed by the kindness, tolerance and patient of God through Jesus Christ.