This has become a controversial question. It has both a yes, and a no answer. First we'll talk about the yes answer. YES, He is tolerant of sin because our entire planet is filled with it, yet He came and walked here. He is able to see every person as they were created to be. That is why, when we look at ourselves through His eyes, we get a breathtaking glimpse of who we really are. He is more than tolerant. He first loved us, while we were still in sin.
But sin itself has no place in God. The Bible says there is no darkness in Him. There is no room for a single tiny drop of sin in His marvelous Kingdom. Rather than let His incompatibility with sin separate Him from those He loves, He came as a man and died for us to pay the debt sin created. We are reconciled and washed clean, not by our own efforts, but by His gift. Therefore, NO, He is not tolerant of sin, but has conquered it for us.
We sometimes forget that there is a difference in God's eyes between people (all of whom struggle with varying degrees of sin), and sin itself.
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There was one sin that Jesus had a great deal of trouble tolerating while He was here on earth... the pride in those religious leaders who were representing God as angry and judgmental towards sinners. Jesus spent time with lost, hurt, sinful people... restoring and uplifting us. But He called many of the religious leaders vipers, snakes, wolves... whitewashed tombs full of dead mens' bones. This seems to be a pretty intolerant response.
How should we be to those not a part of God's family yet? Well, shaking a bony finger at imperfect people doesn't seem to work very well or make God very happy. He has already provided forgiveness for all people-- some just don't know it yet!
But as we serve, love, forgive, and respect all people, then people can begin to see the real God. It is God's goodness shining in us that leads people to turn around and come to Him.
Forgiveness
We need to forgive. Forgiving and giving are closely related. Forgiving is the release of an imagined debt. When people fail us in some way, we feel used , robbed or wronged-- like they owe us.
Sometimes forgiveness is very difficult because the wounds are deep and old; it can feel like forgiving people for some things is almost impossible.
It is much easier to forgive when we focus on what God has forgiven us, rather than on what we have to forgive. The cost of forgiving our sin was unimaginably high. The man who died for us was perfectly innocent.
Since we now stand before God not only forgiven, but having received His righteousness and His Spirit as a gift, we have the power and ability to forgive. Since we have been forgiven a huge debt, we can release the ones who we feel owe us. Since we have been purchased, we are no longer in a position to be owed.
Unforgiveness turns anger into bitterness, and if you can't forgive others, then you'll have a hard time forgiving yourself, or accepting God's forgiveness. Unforgiveness is one of the most self-destructive forces in life. If someone has hurt you, don't let the devil win twice! Forgive.
Forgiveness is a powerful move of faith, and a response of thankfulness to God for what He has done for you.
Finally, forgiveness is a reflection of the nature of God in you. Every time someone hurts you, it's an opportunity to live the victorious love of Jesus-- to let the world see Him in you.
So forgive thoroughly, in the same manner in which you were forgiven, and unlock a flood of joy, health, peace and power into your life.
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