Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another. —Ephesians 4:2 (GNT)
Over time, one of the things we emphasize from the pulpit is that every believer ought to tolerate their neighbors. Now, the reason for this emphasis is that tolerance proves your love for them. In our opening text, the Bible says, Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another. —Ephesians 4:2 (GNT). Did you see that?
Sadly, many believers are not tolerant at all. They are quick to complain about others, give up on people, and have misunderstandings with their neighbors. But the truth remains that this is not how God wants us to live our lives. God wants us to tolerate others and their shortcomings.
Understand this: no one is perfect. Men are full of flaws, and as such, they will always bring you to a place of offense, but you are not to give in to such offense. Instead, God wants you to tolerate their actions, and when you do this, you are proving your love for them.
Therefore, as you run the Christian race, you are encouraged to tolerate others. You will be pushed to the wall, you will be annoyed, and you will go through all kinds of things at the hands of men. But when you understand the role of tolerance that God wants you to play, you won’t fall into the temptation to be offended. So, in the place of offense, choose to tolerate their shortcomings. Praise God!
Today’s Rhema
Men will offend you, but choose to tolerate their shortcomings, for this is the right thing to do!
Prayer
Father, I am grateful for this insightful truth. I receive grace today to escape every temptation to be offended. Instead, I choose to be tolerant in my relationships with others, and the blessings of tolerating others are manifesting in my life, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
