The inside measurement of our standard railway track is 1435mm with a tolerance of plus or minus 10mm. This teaches us that a certain degree of tolerance is right but there are limits beyond which it is dangerous to go. The Bible says, "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." [ Romans 12:18 ]. If we do disagree we should endeavour to disagree without being disagreeable! But we must always be careful not to be so tolerant that by our silence we allow someone to think something is right when it is wrong.

If we speak out against sin we may be told that we should be more broad-minded. But how broad-minded? Are we to enjoy immorality and violence on TV which God condemns? Jesus said, "Broad is the way that leads to destruction but narrow is the way that leads to life." [ Matthew 7:13 ].

When a train is travelling along a straight and narrow track adjusted to the correct limits of tolerance everyone is happy. They can talk, operate lap tops, read, eat and sleep in safety. But if some over tolerant engineers allow the track to become slack the result can be catastrophic.

God's Ten Commandments allow no limits of tolerance which means that if we committed only one sin this would keep us out of heaven! This is because heaven is infinitely pure and must not on any account be defiled.

Because we have all tolerated sin in our lives, and left the straight and narrow way, we are exposed to the appalling and eternal consequences that will follow in the final day of judgement. Happily, through God’s amazing grace He exercised zero tolerance by allowing his sinless Son to die on the cross instead of us so that when we turn from our sins and trust Him as our Saviour He can forgive us.