Unconditional Love

Its time to blow a whistle. There seems to be something tiptoeing just under the rouse of being good and worthy of approval, but the only thing right about it is that it’s right on top of our heads. Exposing this has been on my heart for some time, and it just might be the season to stand up straight and call it out.
There’s an insidious demon of a philosophy emerging its ugly head. Maybe its been around forever, and it may only be that I’ve just started paying attention. But its definitely not good.
It’s the modern meaning of the word tolerance.
This word, and the army behind it, the ones who are driving it forward with great force, need to be stood up to. Noticing the stench first in conversation, more and more of this evil monster reveals itself through mutual spitefilled glances and malicious gossip. Tolerance has become more than a word. It’s now an operation of militant control over people. Operation No One Can Have Their Own Opinion Anymore. Tolerance used to be when I don’t particularly like something, but I put up with it anyway. Like my husbands Mo-vember mustache, the one-ply roll next to the toilet at my in-laws, and the neighbor who lets their kid jump on my couch. It used to mean something that could be put up with for a small period of time. Now, the word tolerance is being shot out in conversation with the force of gunfire, maiming anyone who has the audacity to stand in the way- stating their opinion that homosexuality is a sin.
I am adamant about loving people. Jesus has unconditional love for every single person no matter their struggle, and no matter their sin. I try to model how I view others, and how I relate to others, by who Jesus was while He was here, and how He treated those who He interacted with. I’m not perfect, by any means, but I’m constantly aware of how Jesus wants me to treat others. I know by years of experience, what is required. Love is. That means I need to be lovingly tolerant. Tolerant of the sins others flaunt, tolerant of the loose morality that family and friends around my children model, and tolerant of my own imperfect example. However, the tolerance I have is a patience knowing the behavior is only being viewed temporarily, and/or being addressed, like within myself. Unconditional love does not negate that. I can still love you, but not want to hear the sordid details of your weekend of fornication or adultery. I can still totally love you while visiting you in prison, but not want your influence around my children. I can love you, but still think you’re headed for judgement from God while you hold hands with your homosexual partner.
You see tolerance is not really what they want. They’ve had that. What they want is the word tolerance and the word acceptance to be wholly interchangeable. And that’s unacceptable to me. Stop pushing me to let go of my convictions, and I’ll keep my tolerance of your personal lifestyle. It’s that easy.
You want tolerance, but you’re totally and completely unwilling to be tolerant in return. Be tolerant of my disagreement with your sin. It works both ways. Otherwise it’s just a double standard.