The Intolerance of Tolerance

THE INTOLERANCE OF TOLERANCE

“He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” – 2 Corinthians ‭3:6‬ ‭NIV‬

Am I the only one that finds it interesting, that since the push for tolerance began, the world has actually become MORE intolerant and thin-skinned?

A concept that may have begun with good intentions, is deeply flawed, striving to control heart issues with rules, as opposed to getting to the true heart of the matter.  As Paul so beautifully put it, the letter of the law kills, but the Spirit gives life.

We have become a society of secular Pharisees, that are so focused on the letter of the law that we stumble over the intended spirit.  And the pursuit of tolerance has ironically led to intolerance of those that we believe are intolerant.

We are pursuing the wrong thing.

“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. Love never fails.” – 1 Corinthians ‭13:4-8‬a NIV

We would be hard pressed to find anyone who would prefer to be tolerated rather than loved.  The problem isn’t a lack of tolerance, but a lack of love.

Click on the evening news and it is clear that what we have been doing isn’t working. It is time to think again and change course.

“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

Father, You ARE love.  When we banned Your influence from so many places, we inadvertently closed the door to the influence of love.  We have tried to use rules to medicate the sickness of our soul, and failed.  Lord, we humbly return to You. Remove our cancers of hatred and selfishness, and give us Your heart.

When we are tempted to react in our flesh, remind us of how true love responds. And strengthen us to love like Jesus, because with great love there is also great HOPE. And great HOPE gives rise to faith—fertile soil for the planting of miracles.  Lord, we need a miracle.  In Jesus’ Name ❤️

Dear friend, considering the attributes of love in I Corinthians 13, how can you incorporate more love today? 💡

https://www.facebook.com/Prayers-of-a-Ragamuffin-Warrior-171515087035441/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Unshakeable Hope

Image
  UNSHAKEABLE HOPE By: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” - Psalms ‭139:23  ‬NIV As the times we are in are heating up, our eyes search for HOPE and comfort.  We look longingly over our shoulder at the “Good Old Days”—simpler times, old relationships and habits—people and things that, in the past, brought momentary relief.  But, more often than not, we find that the fleeting well of comfort found there has since dried up. ‬ We have not been abandoned to fend for ourselves, however. God, Himself, will be our refuge!‬ When everything else is shaking, we have been given a glorious hope.  God is immovable, and when we put our trust in Him, so are we!  ‬ “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” – Psalm 125:1-2 NIV Beloved, let’s not until the worl...
Read more

Kissing Boo-Boos

Image
  KISSING BOO-BOOS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly Oh, the miracle of a kiss on a boo-boo!  I remember being little and getting a cut on my finger.  I’d raise that chubby finger and go running to my mom.  She always knew what to do.  She would gently clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  We weren’t done until my hurt had been kissed.  There was magic in that application of compassion and love.  It made the pain go away. We have all seen that toddler with a boo-boo.  They run to their mom or dad to clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  If the wound isn’t treated, the tiny nick can continue to hurt and bleed. Each time it is touched or bumped they are reminded of the pain.  And an untreated wound can become infected and grow. There are people all around us with unkissed boo-boos today.  They are hurt, afraid or sad.  They go through life fearful of being hurt again, and looking for someone they can t...
Read more

The Secret of The Birds

Image
 THE SECRET OF THE BIRDS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Praise the Lord from the earth, Sea monsters and all deep sea creatures; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged birds.” - Psalm 148:7, 10.   Morning has broken and the choir of birds outside my window is singing their hearts out.  Birds may not be considered to be intelligent, yet their response to God in hardship could teach us a few things.  We humans grumble to God about so much, but the birds praise their creator in severe heat and bitter cold.  They may have nests and the shade of trees, but they don’t have the many comforts we enjoy, yet they praise Him.  They know a secret:  God is enthroned upon our praises.  When our hearts are full of worship, He takes His rightful place and brings with Him joy and peace. Let’s take a lesson from the birds.  Their trust in their maker to provide for their needs, even in the face of harsh seasons, calls out to our faith.  It ...
Read more