We live in a culture where tolerance has become the highest virtue.
But is tolerance really a mark of moral excellence?
Not as it’s defined today.
If you go back to the original Webster’s Dictionary, tolerance used to be about “the capacity to endure” — as in enduring pain or a difficult situation.
This is noble.
But today tolerance has come to mean “acceptance”… of whatever idea or lifestyle that might be in vogue.
And if you do not go along, you are dubbed intolerant.
There is certainly no virtue in this.
In fact, it becomes outright evil when tolerance compels us to embrace iniquity.
Jesus addressed this problem long ago…
When He called out the church of Thyatira for tolerating a woman who was seducing His servants into immorality and idolatry (Rev. 2:20).
So don’t be snookered by the demands for tolerance coming at us today.
Giving way to it will only compromise your principles, making you like a polluted well (Pr. 25:26)
Rather…
Pursue the cardinal virtues God’s people have upheld for ages…
Courage, self-control, prudence, justice, faith, hope and love.
It’s these qualities that make you productive and effective for God’s kingdom (2 Pet. 1:8).