Tolerance or Intolerance?
“You must accept everything about me, or you’re hateful.”
Does that sound familiar? In today’s world, tolerance has shifted. Instead of being used to indicate tolerance with our boss, or a co-worker, or the seasons, or meaning “respecting others despite disagreement,” it now demands total affirmation of all choices. But what does the Bible say?
In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul rebukes the church for tolerating blatant sin. A man was in an immoral relationship so extreme that even the pagans were shocked. But instead of dealing with it, the church boasted about their open-mindedness. Paul’s response? “Expel the wicked person from among you” (v.13).
Some might say, “That’s unloving!” But true love calls people to holiness, not destruction. Paul warns that tolerating sin corrupts the entire church (v.6). If we ignore sin, we are not loving—we are allowing spiritual harm.
But here’s the key: Paul says we are not to judge unbelievers (v.12). We don’t force biblical morality on the world, but inside the church, we are called to accountability.
How do we apply this today?
1️⃣ Stand firm in truth, even when the world pressures us to compromise.
2️⃣ Love people without affirming sinful choices.
3️⃣ Examine ourselves—are we tolerating sin in our lives, homes, or churches?
True Christianity loves the sinner but never condones sin. Jesus did not die so we could remain in sin—He died to set us free.