Love Wins, Part 2: God’s Love Wins

In the wake of the June 2015 U.S. Supreme court ruling declaring the unconstitutionality of the ban on same-sex marriage bans, advocates celebrated vigorously using the slogan, “Love Wins.”

One interpretation of the slogan implied that “Hate Loses,” indicating that any view other than that which embraces same-sex marriage (particularly a biblical view) is wrong and intolerant.

Is it?

Does Love Equate With Tolerance?

Image: Shadow Rock Church

The slogan “Love Wins” implies that love equals tolerance. But are love and tolerance one and the same?

Tolerance indicates acceptance. Intolerance refuses to accept views unlike its own.

Healthy, loving relationships are marked by tolerance. Many successful marriages are made up of spouses who have opposing political views … different opinions about family members … varying personal issues. Yet these spouses still love each other and accept their differences.

Challenging another’s beliefs does not equate with intolerance. Rather, love embraces acceptance.

Is Jesus Tolerant or Intolerant?

When it comes to tolerance, Jesus Christ is the ultimate champion. He accepts people of all colors, backgrounds, genders, and lifestyles – from a flagrant adulteress (John 8) to a cheating government official (Luke 19) to a conniving political extremist (Luke 6:15). “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28, ESV).

But Jesus is equally clear about what He cannot tolerate: hypocrisy, selfishness, and sin. For instance, He could not justify the actions of hypocritical religious leaders (Matthew 23:25) … the self-serving rich young ruler (Matthew 19:21) … or those who will not face their shortcomings (1 John 1:8).

But He doesn’t leave us hanging with no options. Although He cannot tolerate sin, Jesus offers a way out and makes it possible to “go sin no more” (John 8:11).

The Love That Wins

Jesus’ deep love for all people and His intolerance of sin are the very reasons He came to earth.

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10, NIV).

His sacrifice was the only way He could restore the relationship between us and God.

Jesus didn’t spout a slogan or wave a placard. He put His love into action. His sacrifice on the cross demonstrated that His love for us is greater than His intolerance of sin.

His love wins – then and now.