Sometimes people don’t make it easy to accept them. They can be bad tempered, selfish, critical, irritating, dismissive, aggressive and pompous. Sometimes you want to give them a piece of your mind; give them what they deserve – anything but acceptance. The command, ‘accept one another’, is inconvenient. And if Paul had stopped there, we might dodge the directive by saying he obviously meant good, reasonable, acceptable people. Alas, he goes on, ‘just as Christ accepted you’. Were you good, reasonable and acceptable? No, but He accepted you – flaws and all – and He still does!
You say, ‘Somebody has to straighten these people out and require them to act right!’ You mean like Jesus required before He accepted you? Roman Christians had difficulty accepting their less experienced brothers, and Paul corrected them: ‘Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarrelling…for God has accepted them’ (Romans 14:1-3 NIVUK). Straightening people out isn’t our department; accepting them is. God calls us to accept messed-up, unspiritual, carnal, obnoxious, doctrinally misled, ‘just plain wrong’ people. You don’t have to approve of, like, or agree with them, but accepting them isn’t optional. There’s no elite, privileged, insider class. We occupy level ground because of two realities: our sin and the cross!
Jews and Gentiles despised each other, even after salvation. Each wanted the other to change and become like them. But Paul took the axe to the root of that tree: ‘For Christ himself…reconciled both groups to God by means of His death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death’ (Ephesians 2:14-16 NLT). Our job is to accept people – and let God adjust them.
Or put it another way
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you. with reference to Romans 15:7 , Romans 14:1-3 and Ephesians 2:14-16
Romans 15:7 states, “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” This verse emphasizes the importance of accepting and embracing others as Christ has accepted us. It encourages believers to cultivate an attitude of inclusivity, love, and understanding towards one another, regardless of differences or disagreements.
In Romans 14:1-3, the apostle Paul addresses the issue of disputable matters within the early Christian community. He urges believers not to judge or look down upon those who have different opinions or practices regarding certain aspects of faith. Instead, he advises them to welcome and accept one another, keeping in mind that God has accepted them all. Paul reminds believers that it is not their place to pass judgment on others, but rather to strive for unity and harmony within the body of Christ.
Ephesians 2:14-16 highlights the reconciling work of Christ, who has broken down the dividing wall of hostility between Jews and Gentiles. This passage emphasizes that through Jesus, all believers, regardless of their background, have been brought together as one body. It speaks of the unity that comes from accepting and embracing one another as fellow members of the household of God. In Christ, the barriers that once separated people are demolished, and peace and reconciliation are made possible.
These verses collectively emphasize the call for Christians to accept one another with love, grace, and humility. Christ’s acceptance of us serves as a model for our interactions with others. Just as Jesus embraced us despite our flaws and differences, we are called to extend the same acceptance to our fellow believers.
This acceptance does not mean we overlook sin or compromise biblical truth. Rather, it is an invitation to cultivate an attitude of understanding, empathy, and patience towards those who may hold different perspectives or have different cultural or personal backgrounds. It is an opportunity to build bridges rather than erect walls, promoting unity and harmony within the body of Christ.
By accepting one another, we demonstrate the transformative power of Christ’s love and bring glory to God. It is through our acceptance and love for one another that the world witnesses the reconciling work of Jesus and the power of the Gospel.
In conclusion, Romans 15:7, Romans 14:1-3, and Ephesians 2:14-16 remind us of the importance of accepting one another just as Christ has accepted us. They call us to embrace unity, extend grace, and foster an inclusive and loving community within the body of Christ, ultimately bringing praise to God.
