Unity Over Tolerance

What’s the difference between unity and tolerance? One definition of tolerance could be putting up with someone, or something, you are not particularly in favor of, for the sake of fellowship with other people. While that’s not altogether a bad thing, it could be potentially dangerous; Paul reminded us that “bad company corrupts good morals” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Yet, it’s our association with others that allows the gospel to be shared. Paul also said in 1 Corinthians 5:11-13, “I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—not at all meaning the people of this world who are [immoral]... In that case, you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister [who is immoral].” 

Therefore, there is a higher standard for those of us who belong to Christ’s kingdom. “His ways are higher than our ways” (Isaiah 55:8), and we now live and think like Christ—at least that’s the goal. But we’re reminded often of how often we sin, how often we criticize, how often we lust, how often we hold a grudge, how often we cheat in some way. While we sin often, and while we’ve been warned about the dangers of associating with ungodly people, we are still called to be unified! This seems nearly impossible, and from a worldly perspective, it seems many “believers” are not very unified. 

Unity is a huge theme throughout the Bible. In fact, after God made humans and then they rebelled, the entire rest of the Bible is the efforts God is going through so that we can be unified again.

Paul’s letter to the Colossians addresses some key principles needed for people prone to sin, need to practice in order to obtain Christ-likeness. When you only “put up with” others, the opportunities to plant eternal seeds into the hearts of people is overlooked. To achieve unity, you must continually remind yourself what you have in common, what your goals are. 

Colossians 3:1-4, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and [our] life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is [our] life, appears, then [we] also will appear with Him in glory.” 

Thankfully Jesus desired more than to simply tolerate us; He sought for unity with us (John 17). Hebrews 4:14-16, “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."