What is tolerance?
According to the 1828 Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
tolerance
tol·er·ance ˈtä-lə-rən(t)s
ˈtäl-rən(t)s
1: the capacity to endure pain or hardship: ENDURANCE, FORTITUDE, STAMINA
2a: sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own
b: the act of allowing something: TOLERATION
3: the allowable deviation from a standard especially the range of variation permitted in maintaining a specified dimension in machining a piece
Now, the first definition is an excellent way to know the strength of a man. How much he endures determines how much he achieves.
But the other two definitions determine whether he achieves his purpose or not, whether his spirituality remains intact or not, and whether he stands for God or not.
A man cannot accept every belief or compromise that comes his way. Not at all. If he waivers, what then can he achieve since he wanders as the waves of the sea? A man must have a solid foundation on which he stands, or else he becomes as flimsy as a seaweed that’s always washed ashore with no definitive direction or destination. And since every man is a royal priesthood of his home according to 1 Peter 2:9, he is the gateway to his family. He must protect and provide for them. That is, providing them with the true word of God that isn’t contaminated with the compromise of the world and protecting them from the wiles of the enemy, which permeates people’s minds through the everchanging culture of modern times. Like how celebrities need bodyguards, a man is a soul guard to his family. They say that when a woman marries a man, she marries his theology because his idea and concept of God will affect the years that come after the wedding date.
Therefore, a man must be just like Jesus, who refused to tolerate the blasphemy that occurred in the temple in Matthew 21:12-13.
When Jesus saw that the temple was used as a currency exchange office, he began overturning tables and causing a disturbance. Why? Because he wasn’t tolerating what was happening in God’s house.
He said; “My house will be a house of prayer, but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
And I tell you that it’s time for men to rise up and say:
My house will be a house of prayer!
Do we spend time praying as a family? Are your children learning to pray? Are you and your wife praying together? For your marriage? Ministry? Children?
My house will be a house of peace!
Is there peace in your house, or is there chaos? Remember, if you don’t have the Prince of Peace, there won’t be peace. God is a God of order.
My house will be a house of purity!
Treat your spouse with purity, and never demean them. Hold them in high regard. Teach your children about purity. Protect them from soul ties that could be bad influences. Help them choose a godly life partner by helping them recognize what Biblical traits a potential partner should display.
My house will be a house of Holiness!
Does your house entertain compromise and low standards? Are you living for Jesus or the world? Are you a light shining for Jesus, or are you involved in darkness? Are you adapting to the world or following Christ?
My house will be a house of forgiveness!
Is there resentment and bitterness between family members? Is there unforgiveness? Those parasites can destroy a person before a family can come to ruin. Let go of everything in the past that is hurting you in the present because it will destroy your future.
My house will be a house of worship!
Is there murmuring and complaining in your house? Is there ingratitude? Remember the Israelites! Because of their ungratefulness, they were delayed for 40 years. How many people are not receiving what is theirs because of a whining tongue?
My house will be a house of love!
If there isn’t love in your own house, how will you be able to show it to outsiders? If you can’t be Christlike in your own home with the people you love, how will outsiders see Jesus in you? If you don’t love your children the right way, they will look for love somewhere else. And if you show them a love that isn’t how Jesus loved, that will be the standard of love they will seek from a life partner when they grow up. So, love like Jesus! And be patient with your spouse!
Being a man isn’t easy; it’s tough. It involves a lot of hard work, but God has called us as the head of our homes to be a royal priest to our families. So, in conclusion, be careful what you sacrifice because many have given up their purpose for pleasure and a legacy for convenience…
