Tolerance and Acceptance are this cultures revolving buzz words! The Culture of the Kingdom has a different buzz word. Love.
In a world that advocates tolerance and acceptance, the Bible sets a profound standard for us, the Kingdom Citizens. Love isn’t content with mere tolerance or acceptance; it ascends to a level that reflects the heart of Christ. Just as Jesus didn’t merely tolerate His disciples, He loved them deeply. He didn’t settle for acceptance alone; He called them to rise above their natural inclinations.
Today the world pushes us (believers) to be accepting of unbiblical and unnatural lifestyles and to be tolerable of them by misquoting scripture verses and misrepresentation of the Messiah’s teachings. While many attempts are based in sheer ignorance and not blatant malevolent intent, this approach is often unhelpful and unbiblical long term.
This endeavor aims to encourage Christians, who occasionally fall into self-righteous judgment, towards a more compassionate outlook. However, it’s important to recognize that this approach shouldn’t mimic the very hypocrisy it seeks to address. Why? Because Christ instructs us to both love one another and our neighbors as ourselves, while also advising against judgment from a biased standpoint. Instead, He calls us to judge righteously – with fairness, love, and genuine consideration. The ultimate goal is to strike a balance between understanding and discernment, embodying Christ’s dual commandments in our interactions.
This perspective introduces us to a calling greater than mere tolerance. It unveils Christ’s expectation for us to embrace a profound responsibility: accepting both ourselves and others in our imperfect, broken, and sinful conditions. Simultaneously, Christ urges us not to remain stagnant in this acceptance but to uplift each other in the Lord. The aim is to progress beyond the realms of mere acceptance and tolerance, reaching the pinnacle of genuine love.
All too often, we mistakenly equate tolerance and acceptance with genuine love, which is an inaccurate sentiment. Consider a garden as an analogy: if I were to merely tolerate every element that enters it, my tolerance would amount to passive neglect – a far cry from love. Over time, weeds would flourish, pests would devour, and animals would wreak havoc, all because I allowed nature to unfold without intervention. True love, however, demands consistent effort. It prompts me to tend to the garden diligently – pruning, weeding, watering, and safeguarding against potential destruction. Love transcends mere tolerance by compelling me to actively protect and nurture the garden.
Indeed, acceptance is not a comprehensive biblical solution, for it lacks the essence of genuine relationship. It merely acknowledges existence without engaging actively. Imagine two ships navigating a stormy sea. One ship symbolizes acceptance, while the other embodies biblical love. The accepting ship stays afloat, but it maintains a distant stance from the struggling vessel, refraining from involvement. Conversely, the ship of biblical love approaches the distressed vessel, extending a lifeline and offering guidance to ensure safety. Despite the turbulent waters, the ship of love remains unwavering, braving the storm together. This analogy illustrates that acceptance might imply recognizing someone’s presence, yet biblical love goes further. It entails wholeheartedly supporting and guiding them through life’s trials, regardless of the challenges they present.
Tolerance and acceptance, though often masked as love, stand as formidable obstacles to genuine discipleship. They’ve played a role in casting a shadow over the church in the Western world, hindering our ability to confront these crucial issues head-on. What might appear as love on the surface is, in truth, a deceptive façade—nothing more than a counterfeit affection, concealing a sinister undercurrent of silent judgment. In stark contrast, Jesus transcends these limits. He embodies a love that soars higher, a love that is our guiding light. Let’s heed this extraordinary example, casting aside the shackles of mere tolerance and acceptance, and embracing the radiant authenticity of Christ’s unwavering love.
“The experts in the law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught committing adultery. They made her stand in front of them and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of adultery. In the law Moses commanded us to stone to death such women. What then do you say?” (Now they were asking this in an attempt to trap him, so that they could bring charges against him.) Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground with his finger. When they persisted in asking him, he stood up straight and replied, “Whoever among you is guiltless may be the first to throw a stone at her.” Then he bent over again and wrote on the ground. Now when they heard this, they began to drift away one at a time, starting with the older ones, until Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up straight and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?” She replied, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “I do not condemn you either. Go, and from now on do not sin any more.”John 8:3-11
In that defining moment, Jesus stood as a beacon of truth and compassion, exposing the darkness veiled within the crowd’s condemnation. The world may attempt to portray His actions as mere acceptance, but that’s an oversimplification of His divine love. Jesus fiercely defended the woman, but He didn’t stop at tolerance or passive acceptance of her sin. His love reaches far beyond that horizon. With unshakable grace, He forgave her, and yet, He extended a call that echoed with unwavering concern. He beckoned her to rise from the mire of her harmful choices, for He understood the perils that loomed ahead. This was no toleration, no mere acceptance. This was a resolute love that wove a safety net around her, sparing her from the lethal stones of judgment. Jesus’ example teaches us that true biblical love isn’t content with surface-level acceptance; it’s a love that’s unafraid to step into the midst of darkness and pull others from the brink of harm.
Let’s explore the Word together:
- John 15:12 – “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
- Romans 12:9-10 – “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”
Tolerance often remains hollow, a mere semblance of coexistence. Acceptance, in its pursuit of a shallow harmony, might inadvertently sidestep real issues. It’s the siren song of pseudo-tranquility. Yet, love stands as a rock-solid foundation for authentic connections. It’s not always easy; it can challenge and stretch us. But therein lies its power. It’s a beacon of genuine care, a relentless commitment that digs beneath the surface. So, let’s seize this higher calling of love, a love that’s more than words, a love that dares to confront obstacles head-on. Let’s hold one another dear, even when it demands facing discomfort. Let’s mirror the love Christ radiated, forging profound connections that possess the power to reshape lives.
Many Nations 