Showing Tolerance

showing tolerance for one another in love,

 Ephesians 4:2

What does it mean to show tolerance? How should a Christian show tolerance? Is there every a time that we shouldn't show tolerance? What does tolerance look like in everyday shoe leather? The Amplified Bible says it this way, "patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another."  Strong's Concordance defines tolerance as "to hold up, bear with." We should be patient with the weakness or mistakes of those around us. We need to give them the benefit of the doubt. We should be more harsh with ourselves than we are with others. Tolerance doesn't mean that we overlook sin. Instead, it means that we forbear with people who have different opinions than we do. It means that we accept and love people for who they are. It's easier to tolerate some people than others. Sometimes tolerance is the hardest to show to those we love the most. Yet, it's important to show tolerance for everyone.

Lord, help me to be tolerant and forbearing with everyone just as You were when You lived here on earth. Help me to hate sin, and yet be tolerant of people who have differing opinions. Help me to know the difference. I want to live like Jesus did.