Tolerance.
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Tolerance is defined as “a fair, objective, and permissive attitude toward those whose opinions, beliefs and practices differ from one’s own.” One dictionary I consulted went so far as to define tolerance as “being patient, understanding and accepting of anything different.”
As you well know, the concept of tolerance is a very real issue in our world today. It is highly valued, treasured and taught—formally and informally—in our political systems, our schools and universities and in every corner of the workplace. Tolerance is a dominant social value. Some would in fact view tolerance as the glue that holds a society together, the oil that keeps the wheels turning, the benchmark by which all other character traits should be measured, the distinguishing quality of a truly good person.
Tolerance is a real problem in our world.
But tolerance is not just a problem in the world. Tolerance is also a problem in the church, in our times, and in ancient times in the church of Thyatira. We would say an age-old problem, going as far back as Adam and Eve’s rebellion in Genesis three.
So in a dramatic and intentional contrast to a world which practically worships at the throne of tolerance, as Jesus Christ introduces himself to the church in Thyatira, and to us this morning, he doesn’t come from a position of tolerance but from a position of supreme authority and the exacting judgment of a Sovereign Lord. And he commands John to write