August 5, 2015: SOAP #2071: 2Kings 23; 2Chronicles 35; John 7

Tolerance/Intolerance

Scripture: John (NIV) 7:7 [Jesus speaking to his earthly family] The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that what it does is evil.

Observation: Jesus was so loving and willing to forgive those who were beat down or approached Him in humility! Yet He was so unbending in pointing out sinful action in those whose pride prevented them from repenting! Jesus knew that God is BOTH loving and holy. Jesus was so tolerant—no sin was too great to keep someone from him. Jesus was so intolerant—no sin was acceptable or ignored. When it came to people He was tolerant, everyone was acceptable! When it came to sin He was intolerant, none was acceptable. Even His disciples did not escape His correction.

Application: Jesus is so tolerant of me that He forgives and forgets my past! Jesus is so intolerant of sin that He even suffered and died that I can approach Him and I can discover that His grace is sufficient for me. When I discover what price Jesus paid to forgive my sins, how can I continue in them and think that it does not matter?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, when I share your love, may I share that it is a holy love. And when I share your holiness, may it always be in the context of your love. Amen