Tolerance and Intolerance

A friend was once troubled when accused of “intolerance” for opposing sexual sins until he realized that his accuser was fiercely intolerant as well, only intolerant of Christianity. The truth is simple: intolerance is inescapable. If we love God and submit to His Word, we will necessarily be intolerant of murder, theft, adultery, false witness, and every assault on God’s order; such things violate true freedom and oppress the righteous. But if we love sin, we will be intolerant of God, His law, and His people. As Jesus declared, no man can serve two masters he will love one and hate the other (Matt. 6:24). Regenerate men love God and therefore hate sin; the ungodly hate God and therefore rage against anything that reflects His rule. What you tolerate and what you cannot tolerate reveals your heart, your allegiance, and your nature.