Tolerance isn’t just about agreeing to embrace our differences. It’s about accepting the other person’s freedom to believe what they want, and to behave according to those beliefs. One of the best tests of spiritual maturity is this: how willing am I to love and pray for those whose beliefs and behaviours are unacceptable to me Instead of condemning people who make mistakes, we should see them the same way we see a blind man walking towards a cliff’s edge. We wouldn’t say, ‘Just look at him, how stupid to be heading that way’. Instead, we’d have compassion for him and try to show him a safer route. Let’s be clear, though; compassion doesn’t mean compromise.We need to be like our heavenly Father, who loves sinners, but hates sin. In Bible days Jews looked down on Gentiles and referred to them as ‘dogs’ (have a read of Matthew 15:26-28). But Jesus came and redeemed those ‘dogs’ and turned them into disciples. When Cornelius the Gentile summoned Peter the Jew to his home, Peter said, ‘You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean’ (Acts 10:28 NKJV). God was shaking up deeply-rooted traditions and opening up new opportunities for the gospel. Peter continued, ‘In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him’ (vv. 34-35 NKJV). If we’re open to God, He’ll work in us to expand our minds for His glory, and show us new ways to share the gospel with others.

What now?

Talk to people from a different Christian denomination or a different faith to you. Spend time listening to their beliefs and then share yours with them.