Forbearance verses Tolerance
Scriptural Text: KJV - Colossians 3: 13 "Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
(Amplified Bible) "Be gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has [freely] forgiven you, so must you also [forgive]."
Thoughts: Ministers often struggle with the art of forgiving one another at times. Mainly because of pride being the restraining order that seems to rise up in their hearts. And it is not just among their fellow ministers, but even forgiving those who attend their fellowships. What makes it so hard to simply forbear with differences of opinions?
The words forbearance and tolerance mean the same thing, but often they are not proclaimed the same way. Take for instance the idea of tolerance in building something or making an item. If a maker of steel bolts says there can be a tolerance of .01 of an inch either way on a 2 inch bolt then there is allowance for it to work with a little more or less of the required size.
Often a person may say "I cannot tolerate that person." That means they simply will not allow that person lee way. Yet the meaning of Tolerate is: "to treat with indulgence, liberality, or forbearance." What causes the opposite, it is the word: "cannot".
What really is happening here is that Mercy and Grace are left out. Here is a good quote on forbearance: "... "to keep silent or to be still," "to stop or leave off doing something," "to withhold from," or "to spare another." Another means "to draw or to stretch out" or "to prolong," for instance, as in prolonging, drawing out, or stretching out another's period of grace to repay a debt. Another one means "to contain or hold in," as in self-restraint. One holds in what he feels like doing; he restrains himself from lashing out at another."
So ultimately what forbearance and tolerance stand for is Mercy and Grace. Mercy is not applying what one really deserves because of a sinful act or attitude. Grace is giving to a person that which they do not deserve because of sinful acts. It reminds me of Jesus with the woman caught in adultery. He could have stoned her. Instead he showed her mercy and grace. He forgave her and did not give her what she deserved; instead he gave her what she could not deserve and that was freedom from the bondage of intolerance of others. He simply said you are forgiven, go and sin no more.
It seems that applying Forbearance & Tolerance is a must in the ministry. Paul said that we are do this because Christ did it for us. What an awesome ministry builder that would be. We look for those that have wronged us and we forgive them. We look for those that we struggle to have a relationship with because of their personal actions and we give them forbearance. It does not mean we tolerate their sin, but we look at how Christ forgave us and we take that mantle of love upon us and do the same.
Ephesians: 4:32-5:2 “And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”
A fragrant aroma of Grace and Mercy applied through Forbearance and Tolerance. Perhaps, tomorrow would be a good time to begin this ministry. May our Father guide you to do so.
Serve Him well my brothers as He works these thoughts through your hearts. Bro. James Ulmer
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