God, love, sin, and tolerance

We talk of someone who is intolerant as lacking in love. Perhaps that's not normally the way we describe that individual, but it's really what we mean.

Now, consider God. He's completely loving; John even wrote "God is love." Yet we have the following idea in the scriptures, written succinctly here:

D&C 1:31 "For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance"

So, is God intolerant? No. There is nobody more tolerant than God. Really. He sent Jesus to make it so everybody who wants to can go home. Everybody. The imperfect. Those we see as despicable. Us. The normal, imperfect humans who inhabit this world. Those who have known God while in the flesh and those who have not. For, as Peter said, "God is no respecter of persons."

God being the most tolerant individual extant, how then can He not look upon sin with any degree of allowance?

I believe it goes to this idea: keeping the commandments of God leads to happiness. Breaking them precludes happiness. Keeping a commandment results in greater happiness. Breaking a commandment results in less joy. God, who loves us, His children, and wants the greatest happiness possible (which He knows, as He possesses this ultimate joy) for us, desires that we should not accept less than that greatest gift which He has for us to reach out and take. Yet He's willing to accept something He doesn't want because of something He wants more. He's willing to let us choose degrees of joy (or sadness), because He values our individuality and our ability to choose for ourselves.

So, God lets us sin. He has provided a way out. For everyone. He's more merciful, kind, tolerant, and loving that we're willing to accept (or capable of comprehending) most of the time. There are consequences to sin, just as there are for righteousness. They differ. Each pays a different wage. Nevertheless, we each select our own master, be it God, or any variety of poor substitutes (lucre, pleasure, etc.).

Why did I write this? My wife and I were discussing judgment of other sinners. Somebody wrote an email to a whole university calling a particular individual running for a student government position a "sinner." Well, of course that individual is! We all are. So we'd better stop judging and start loving each other and be as tolerant as God. Note: loving is not the same as trying to love. To love is a decision made in a moment. It may take practice. Decide to practice.

Love.