Is God Intolerant Or Gracious?

“We should be tolerant of everything except intolerance.”   This seems to the mantra of our American mindset.  This mindset is further fueled by hyper individualism and the disbelief in absolute truth.  Those who are labeled ‘intolerant’ are often belittled, silenced, and considered closed minded.  The tolerance of our society simply can’t tolerate intolerance.  

‘Tolerate’ is defined as “to endure without repugnance; put up with:”  In other words, tolerance seems to mean ‘to get along’.  To be tolerant or to tolerate thus seems like a good thing.  A recent Mcdonald’s television and internet advertisement entitled “Archenemies” features this type of tolerance.  We see once bitter enemies like Dorothy and the Wicked Witch, a Bears fan & a Packers fan, and even a democratic and a republican getting along and having love for one another.  A catchy and fun song plays in the background; its chorus proclaims, “love is endless.”  We tend to love this ad and embrace it.  In a world of division and hate, a message of love is welcome.  

However, tolerance is often meant something more than just love one another.  Have you seen the COEXIST bumper sticker?  This bumper sticker features symbols of major world religions portrayed in such a way to spell out "COEXIST." But what does that mean?  Obviously, the general meaning is a message of tolerance.  However, some believe that it's saying that all religions are equally valid and true.  Some view the only way to be truly tolerant is to allow everyone to have their own truths and morality.   The lawsuits that exist over the usage of the “COEXIST” trademark, however, demonstrates even they don't accept this view of tolerance.    

God does not fit within this view of tolerance either.  God hates sin.  God does not tolerate false teaching.  There are various passages that list specific sins that God hates.  (ex. Deut. 12:31; Prov. 6:16-19; Isa. 61:8)  The Psalmist will describe God by saying,

“You love righteousness and hate wickedness;”

Psalm 45:7a

God is gracious.  God loves people.  God is patient and merciful with us in our sin.  In fact one of the most common descriptions of God in Scripture is as follows,

“The Lord is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love. “

Psalm 103:8

God does not put up with our sins; instead He paid for them.  The cross is the quintessential example of God’s intolerance and grace.  God is graciously intolerant.  

God’s wrath against sin has been poured out on the cross.  All those who have faith can avert God’s wrath, having their sins paid for through Christ’s death.  God’s pardon for our sins is a gift we do not deserve.  This is grace.  (Romans 3:21-26; 5:1-21)

God was so intolerant of sin, He did not only pay for our sins. He also has redeemed us from the power of sin.  God raised Jesus from death into a new life.  We too, can have a new life through God’s resurrection power.  We are no longer bound or destined to a life of sin, but we can live a life according to the Holy Spirit.  We are free from sin.  (Romans 6:1-23)  

We are called to be “imitators of God." (Eph 5:1)  Therefore, how can we be graciously intolerant?   Jesus came “full of grace and truth” and demonstrated this in his encounter with the woman caught in adultery. (John 1:14)  Jesus does not condemn her and he calls her to live righteously. (John 8:1-11)  How can we not compromise truth while being full of grace?  We are to love people just the way they are; we are to love them so much, we don’t want them to stay that way.  How do we demonstrate intolerance of sin in our own lives and lead others to have the same conviction of their sins?

God is graciously intolerant.  May His Spirit give us the same steadfast conviction for truth and may His Spirit give us the same relentless, compassionate, grace for people. And may His Spirit give us the wisdom to live it out.