Let's discuss the balance of tolerance in Christianity.
We are living in a time where the pressure is constant: soften the truth, redefine sin, and make everything acceptable so no one feels uncomfortable. And if we’re not grounded, it’s easy to drift into that without even realizing it. The Church was meant to shape culture, not the other way around!
So to to that, we need to be clear what we are being taught about the concept of tolerance; Scripture does not call us to that kind of tolerance.
We are not called to approve of what God has already spoken against. We are not called to blur the line between truth and error. Through Christ, we’ve been shown that truth matters. Sin is real. And repentance is necessary.
But we need to be just as clear about the other side of this.
We are not called to become cold, harsh, or self-righteous in the name of standing for truth.
Jesus never compromised truth, but He also never withdrew from people. He moved toward them. He sat with them. He spoke to them with authority, but also with compassion. He didn’t affirm sin, but He didn’t reject the person either.
That’s where we are being called to live, in this space.
Not in compromise.
Not in condemnation.
But in the tension between conviction and compassion.
We must be a people who refuse to bend truth, no matter the cost. God's Word is living. And as applicable today as it was back then. And His Word teaches that we must be a people who refuse to lose love, no matter the disagreement.
Because the moment we sacrifice truth, we lose our foundation.
And the moment we sacrifice love, we lose our witness.
So what does this look like in our daily lives?
It looks like speaking truth clearly, but without pride.
It looks like calling sin what it is, but remembering we’ve been shown mercy too.
It looks like standing firm, but keeping our hearts soft.
It looks like loving people enough to tell them the truth, and walking with them as they wrestle through it.
We are not the judge (God is), but we are called to be faithful.
Let’s not be people who avoid truth to keep the peace.
And let’s not be people who weaponize truth and forget grace.
Let us be people who reflect Christ fully- truth and love, together.
Stand firm. Stay humble. And love deeply.
We’re in this together.
-Devin
Devin Osborne
