The Intolerant Christian

    Tolerance. It's a word I have heard murmured throughout our culture lately. For me, however, the word does not have a positive connotation. When I hear "tolerance," I think of two things: (1) To tolerate or to put up with, or (2) the time when your body no longer responds to a drug (for example, an over-the-counter painkiller has a reduced or absent effect when you have developed a tolerance for it).  I would so much rather love someone than tolerate them, and I would hope to receive love, not tolerance, in return.

     You see, "tolerance" is often thrown carelessly in the face of anyone who dares to hold a belief that there is a concrete right and wrong, that there is such a thing as absolute truth. Many times, such people are labeled "judgemental," and while some deserve it, others are merely holding fast to moral convictions and refusing to be swayed by popular opinion. Some are harsh and critical, but others merely understand that we are subject to such laws as "right," "wrong," and "gravity" and abide by them.

     Tolerance in and of itself is probably not a bad thing, I suppose, but tolerance run amok in the selfish mess of humanity is. Too often, it is not the people trying to live quiet and respectful lives, obeying the rules and paying their bills that are screaming "TOLERANCE!" It is those who have a chip on their shoulder and are glaring around the barroom, defying anyone to disagree with what they are doing. It is those who have seared their conscience and are so maimed by it that they want others to sear theirs, too. It is the captive to sin who does not wish to admit that there is a thing called "sin" or that they have any accountability to anyone. It is the swelling of pride that disdains to think anyone other than themselves may have a sensible view of life. It is the frothing, rabid hater of others who shrieks "tolerance" to anyone who dares to hate them back.  It is the epitome of the absolute absurdity of this "tolerance" that many of the very people who desire it do not wish to give it in return.

     In actuality, this kind of "tolerance" seems to be merely an end to the individual's right to form an opinion. Rather than creating peace, it is stirring up an undercurrent of repressed resentment and then compressing it further under fear of public opinion. This can only simmer, growing hotter under its lid until the pressure grows too great and it explodes outward in manifestations of malice and contempt. This ridiculous form of "tolerance" left to grow unchecked will bear a bitter, repugnant fruit.

     So I propose that we stop tolerating each other. Rather, let's do something more radical that will bear far sweeter fruit. Let's love each other. I am not talking about sweaty-palms, fairy-tales-and-knights-in-shining-armor here. I am talking about laying down our lives for one another. I am talking about hanging up our rights and our tender feelings and rolling up our sleeves to feed and clothe the truly oppressed. I am talking about allowing the rabble-rousers of the world to go on rousing thier rabble somewhere else, remaining calm and unaffected by it and quietly loving the unlovable and the unlovely. I am talking about refusing to be stirred to retaliation but instead repaying evil with good. I am talking about turning the other cheek, walking the extra mile laden with your oppressor's pack, and doing the hard work of humbling ourselves further and still further with full knowledge that no matter how low we stoop, we can never achieve the depths our Savior did for we do not have as far to stoop. I am talking about sacrificial, selfless, God-focused love for both the physically and the spiritually crippled, blind, and lame of this world. Above all, let us love Him so intentionally and so intensely that we cannot help but love the people He came to save as well.  I propose we love as He first loved us.
    
You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil.
But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well.
And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles.
Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.
You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.
For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?
Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:38-48

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
You are my friends if you do what I command you.

John 15:8-14

Scripture quotations are from the ESV^® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version^®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.