We in our generation have both limited knowledge and limited judgement. There s always the temptation to take refuge in what we some call biblical discipline and standards. Tolerance and Courage Against this the Christianity can offer only two watchwords tolerance and courage. Tolerance isn t a very exciting virtue. But it s still important.
Tolerance calls for far greater self-restraint and effort to understand other people.
It calls on us each, not just to put forward abstract moral positions, but in doing so to examine our own life-styles as well. Any declaration of the general principles of Christianity can be expected to draw polite murmurs of approval. The real difficulty comes in attempting to follow them. Despite our intellectual concerns with love and justice, despite our emotional involvement with the abstract needy and helpless, we don t always succeed in loving real people. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.