I Am Not Tolerant

When did tolerance become such a hip thing to obtain in our lives?

Think about it.

You and your "friend" are having a chat at a local coffee shop. You think that there is a real connection between the two of you. You would even go so far as to say an understanding, even a respect for each other. Then in a moment of openness, your friend turns to you and says; "You know...I really...tolerate you and your views."

Really? You tolerate me and my views?

How would that make you feel in that moment?

Since when did merely "tolerating" the particular existence/opinions/behaviour that you do not necessarily agree with become a good thing? A thing that shows how evolved we are as a culture?

One thing is true, Jesus wasn't tolerant.

He didn't invite you and I to "tolerate our enemies."

Doesn't tolerance give off the sound of a hollow clanging symbol, or the annoyance of a mis-placed gong?

As a Follower of Christ...

I don't tolerate group X, Y, or Z because I don't believe what they believe, practice what they practice, or see the world the exact same as they do. I am called to love them, not tolerate them.

And while I am being honest, my love comes with an agenda.

As Margaret Feinberg wrote... I believe that love is the agenda (John 13:35). And I am going to love you. I am going to love you so hard and so fast you can’t stand it. I’m going to love you so long and so deep that you’ll begin to wonder why. I am going to love you until you fall down on your knees and ask, “Who is the God that you serve?”

Then I will tell you the secret of my great love. A love poured down that I simply can’t contain, at times, bursting from the seams of my being. Sometimes that God-instilled love will require me to share—in those intimate conversations only after I’ve won your heart and trust—that which you already know: your self-destructive behavior is killing you. When you ask, “How do I stop?” I will only have one answer… I know no other.

So, yes, you can call me judgmental. I’ve judged, without apology, that you’ve rarely—if ever—experienced this kind of love, this foundation of spiritual transformation.

In Christ I have no room for tolerance, because love crowds out the meaningless clutter from my culture.

Thank you for tolerating this entry :-)

Comments

[John]

Hey Jason

NOt sure if you ever check your old blogs. BUT Love with an agenda................not sure i agree with that one....sounds too human.

John..

by the way I love you :}

[Aaron Sexton]

That's exactly how I feel. I am a first time reader who was referred to your blog by Josh Hesse and this really hit home. God has been dealing with me lately on sincerely loving people and not tolerating them. I love it when you said, "In Christ I have no room for tolerance, because love crowds out the meaningless clutter from my culture." That is exactly how I feel. The love I have for people should push out my ability to tolerate. GOD works through love, not tolerance.

Sincerely,
Aaron Sexton

Annabelle's Runway
http://annabellesrunway.blogspot.com
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[Betsy]

Great insight. Nothing like the truth to strip away the nonsense and reveal the hollow core of today's "tolerant" culture.

I got here via Scott Hodge's blog, but I'm going to come back to see what else you have to say.

[jason]

Love the questions, insights, & reflections.

Great Stuff!

[Rick Davidson]

Interesting question ran thru my head as I read this post...does the concept of tolerance speak to actual acceptance of something or simply define the choice of not speaking out in opposition? And, if we choose to remain silent in situations or on certain topics....does that automatically mean we are being tolerant?
It is a very slippery slope! And, the ease with which we can interchange some words within the English language makes it even more dangerous to just speak without truly considering WHAT is being said/intoned.
"Tolerant" does NOT equal "Love." And there is no amount of new-age, politically-correct, terminology bending double-speak that can make them be interchangeable or somehow make it into a positive state-of-being.
If I tolerate my wife...
If I tolerate my kids...
If I tolerate my job...
If I tolerate my life...
no one would consider that to be a good situation. Once again Jay, you have exposed a world view that is NOT in step with The Truth. And, we as Christians must find our individual and collective voices (based on The Truth and delivered thru a heart of Love) to make absolutely sure that there is no confusion.

[Paul Wozney]

Hey J,
I have shared the same thought for years as a teacher, where tolerance is a must-teach concept that continues to fail students everywhere.

It became hip when we invoked multiculturalism under Trudeau, and I really believe that setting the bar at tolerance is a major reason that Canadians still wrestle with identity. Because we tolerate rather than accept and adopt, people attain a level of acceptance but still need their old attachments to find the level of belonging they really need...

When I think of tolerance, I am reminded that Jesus can't tolerate any sin, but he can love me. Love trumps tolerance anyday. Wholly agreed!

[Michelle Jammes]

Well said, Pastor Jason! Well said, indeed.