What is tolerance? It’s defined as respecting beliefs or practices different from your own. In mechanical engineering, it means the permitted variation in a measurement of an object. It is how much error is allowed before the long-term is affected. But even small mistakes can have drastic effects on the future. For example, if Apollo engineers had miscalculated the launch trajectory of the moon rockets by just .0003 of a degree, they would’ve missed the moon by 1.25 miles.

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience.

I Timothy 1:5

In today’s verse, Paul instructed Timothy to stop false teaching occurring in Ephesus. Although the errors may have seemed small entanglements in myths and spiritual genealogies, Paul knew they would affect the future of believers. Paul reminded Timothy to teach in love, with a pure heart and a good conscious, in order to advance God’s work. There could be no tolerance for error because it would divert believers from the goal of the Christian life.

As you share your faith with others, ask God to keep your heart pure, your conscience clean and your faith sincere. Pray for also for the nation’s leaders to be influenced by Christians like Timothy…so they may know His love.

Recommended Reading: II Timothy 2:15-26