Jesus Requires Us to be Intolerant of Evil
© 2012 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)
When we hear the word “intolerance” we often think, “Oh! That’s a bad thing!” Yet all of those who proclaim the evil of intolerance are intolerant of it! In fact every reasonable man or woman is rightfully intolerant of many things.
Are you intolerant of baby murderers? Are you intolerant of racists? Are you intolerant of corrupt government? Are you intolerant of the various financial scams that constantly surface? Don’t you think such things should be abolished?
The Lord Jesus Christ is the supreme hater of evil. Hear what He says in Revelation 2:18-21. “unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass; I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.”
Although Jesus commends the church in Thyatira for loving patience, and industrious work, His primary message, to them, is rebuke for tolerating adultery and idolatry. In the very next two verses He demands repentance. In fact, if they do not repent and abandon their tolerance of evil, He promises that death will be the result. “…I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works” (Revelation 2:22-23). Jesus is intolerant of evil and prescribes severe penalties for tolerating it. He calls all to repent of sin and beg forgiveness based on His substitutionary blood sacrifice.
Have you called upon Him to save you from sin? If so, He will fill you with the same loving intolerance of evil that He has. You will forsake sin.
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