I used to run with a notorious band of criminals. We called ourselves, “Legit Gang of Badassery” (maybe you’ve seen our initials) and our favorite form of self expression was damaging property. Some of us liked to hit mailboxes with ball bats. Some of us liked to break windows. Some of us liked setting stuff on fire. We didn’t judge each other for what we chose to destroy. Vandalism is vandalism.

Everything was going great (some States let us get married and adopt children!) until some folks calling themselves “The Quasi-Intolerant Anarchists” joined us. At first, we thought they were a good fit for our group. We didn’t want to exclude anyone by making arbitrary rules for membership so when TQIA folks started setting pets on fire and throwing feces at kids on playgrounds, we didn’t say anything even though they kind of creeped us out. Vandalism is vandalism and all that…

Then our members began claiming they weren’t criminals. They referred to their acts of violence as artistry. Some went as far as to call our behavior, “love.” That was when my conscience made me leave the group.

Tolerating a little bit of bad behavior always, always, ALWAYS opens the door for more bad behavior. I can’t condemn you for drowning puppies while I’m doing a strip tease at an elementary school. Vandalism is vandalism. It is NOT love.

I’m through picking and choosing sins. I’m renouncing ANY and EVERY unholy thought or deed. This is a much simpler and saner way to live.

(Revelation 2:20) Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.