“Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God”. Romans 15:7
I suspect that one of our basic needs in life is to be loved and accepted as we are. Despite how different we are from another, regardless of how we may dress or our social or economic status – we just want to be loved. You’d think that the church would get that. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don’t. Ever go visit a church and get the message that you are an outsider and probably ought not to be there? Ever feel invisible even in the church you do go to?
The fact that Romans 15:7 is even included in the Bible is a give away to the truth that sometimes we may be guilty of being Un-accepting and Un-loving to others. Sometimes we ignore people. Sometimes we tolerate people. Sometimes we avoid people. If the New Testament church needed a reminder of the importance of accepting and loving people, how much more do we in our church today. The imperative Paul gives us calls us to keep on accepting and welcoming. It’s a continuing action command to do that. But why is that important? Because it reflects the life of Jesus – “just as Christ accepted us…”. What were we like when Jesus accepted us? Romans 5 uses terms like ‘powerless’ (5:6), ‘enemies’ (5:10), ‘ungodly’(5:6), ‘sinners’(5:8). Jesus is the model for us that enables us to embrace people with rough edges and porcupine quills. Those that are different from us who may not agree with us.
What’s the purpose of being accepting and loving? Our reputation? Getting name recognition community kudos? Being self-described as a welcoming church? The answer is in the simple phrase ‘to the glory of God’. Receive one another, edify one another, please one another – all to the glory of God. Accepting and loving one another is the highest purpose of the church in bringing praise to our God. When you gather each week during the Lenten season and interact with people at your church, ask Jesus to enable you to accept and love the one He puts before you. Ask for
His eyes and heart to love them as He loved (and loves) you. Watch for two things: What He shows you about yourself AND what He does within you to enable you to express His love. Then accept one another each day following the Lenten season!
Scripture readings this week
- March 22 – John 13:18-38
- March 23 – John 14:1-14
- March 24 – Exodus 12:1-32
- March 27 – John 14:15-31
- March 28 – John 15:1-17