Giving Love
First Published January 10, 2011
As is the case with most clichés, “tolerating” or “being tolerant” has become well worn over the last 20 years. People are urged to be tolerant to calm tension politically and socially. It is interesting, but I don’t recall ever hearing what social and political leaders meant by someone being tolerant. Linguistically, tolerating something or someone means that you don’t react negatively. You just go with the wind. Good or bad, you just let it be. Hm. Jesus said plenty about the wind.
“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:25-27
Before the “tolerance” movement, people used the word respect. Respecting someone is definitely different than tolerating someone. It is willful acknowledgement of their attributes. Yet, there is something missing in tolerating or respecting. It very often can be a mechanical action.
Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. Hebrews 12:9a
So, what’s missing? What is the ultimate interaction with people that goes beyond tolerating, beyond respecting. It’s love. You can give love, but you can’t give tolerance. You can be blessed when you give love, but you won’t be blessed giving respect. Giving love begets giving love. Skip the tolerance and respect, and dish out the love!
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
I Peter 4:8
Copyright 2011 Karen Vaughn
As is the case with most clichés, “tolerating” or “being tolerant” has become well worn over the last 20 years. People are urged to be tolerant to calm tension politically and socially. It is interesting, but I don’t recall ever hearing what social and political leaders meant by someone being tolerant. Linguistically, tolerating something or someone means that you don’t react negatively. You just go with the wind. Good or bad, you just let it be. Hm. Jesus said plenty about the wind.
“The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” Matthew 7:25-27
Before the “tolerance” movement, people used the word respect. Respecting someone is definitely different than tolerating someone. It is willful acknowledgement of their attributes. Yet, there is something missing in tolerating or respecting. It very often can be a mechanical action.
Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. Hebrews 12:9a
So, what’s missing? What is the ultimate interaction with people that goes beyond tolerating, beyond respecting. It’s love. You can give love, but you can’t give tolerance. You can be blessed when you give love, but you won’t be blessed giving respect. Giving love begets giving love. Skip the tolerance and respect, and dish out the love!
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
I Peter 4:8
Copyright 2011 Karen Vaughn
posted by Karen Vaughn | 11:47 AM
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