Feb 112 min read

Day 299 - Love Includes Becoming Tolerant

Believers, love includes becoming tolerant and patient with others.

But I undergo all things for the saints, so that they may have salvation in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (2 Timothy 2.10 Bible in Basic English (BBE))

Let it be your care to get the approval of God, as a workman who has no cause for shame, giving the true word in the right way.

But take no part in wrong and foolish talk, for those who do so will go farther into evil,

And their words will be like poisoned wounds in the flesh: such are Hymenaeus and Philetus;

Men whose ideas are all false, who say that the coming back from the dead has even now taken place, overturning the faith of some.

But God's strong base is unchanging, having this sign, The Lord has knowledge of those who are his: and, Let everyone by whom the name of the Lord is named be turned away from evil. (2 Timothy 2.15-19- Bible in Basic English (BBE))

Tolerance: sometimes it can be difficult to be tolerant of everyone, yet scripture advises us to be tolerant and teach others so that they can rejoin the Lord if they have strayed into evil's clutches. Be patient, loving, and kind with the hope that one day, they will repent and return to the Lord's loving arms and care. They could regain their senses, but if you are not tolerant, patient, and loving, you could keep them from returning to the Father. Evil will use our negativity against them to keep them trapped in their shame and sorrow, far apart from the Lord. You must love others as well as our Lord. If you do not, you may play a part, a terrible part, in the loss of souls to the Lord. You have the influence to make a difference, but how you believe and act will influence whether it is good or bad for that person and, ultimately, the kingdom of God.

Prayer:

Strengthen me, God, and help me always love and continue growing my tolerance, patience, and love for others. With you, Father, my love will include becoming more kind, tolerant, and patient. I ask that the Holy Spirit continually remind me that Jesus saw the good in all people. I am thankful he is my teacher and example. Please help me be an instrument of you rather than a hammer for evil. I love you, Lord, and truly want to love all I meet and know as you love them. I pray in Jesus Christ's name. Amen