Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also
accepted us to the glory of God.
Romans 15:7 New American Standard
Bible 1995
This verse is fairly short,
but also profound. Any time we see the word “therefore” we need to see what
came before, because that is the basis for what is about to be said. This verse
is based on the preceding 6 verses, and possibly the previous chapter, both of
which deal with accepting others and making an allowance for another’s level of
faith and maturity. We need to be willing to sacrifice our rights and
privileges for the sake of others. If something that is a matter of personal
conviction, which we feel free to do, offends someone else we should refrain
from it in their presence so that we don’t offend them. This is not
hypocritical, because we aren’t judging others for doing something we do
ourselves, nor is it deceitful (unless we claim that we don’t do it at all and
hide our actions from others for some reason.) It is merely being respectful of
others and desiring their good above our pleasure.
Going one step more than
that, not only should we make sacrifices for others, but we should accept them
rather than pass judgment or avoid them because of the differences in opinion
and practice. This principle goes beyond matters of personal conviction to any
difference of opinion regardless of the subject. As long as it is not a matter
of salvation or blatant sin, no differing opinion is grounds for exclusion. Differences
of preference, tradition, personal conviction, political choice, and lifestyle
are all things that should not cause division. We are human, so we all mess up
sometimes and we are given free will to choose what we do and made with different
personalities and traits. We cannot expect to find any one person in history
who would completely and perfectly agree with everything we believe and choose.
It is just not possible. Instead of being judgmental and exclusive, we need to
have grace and accept others’ differences. Of course we should not be “tolerant”
of sinful lifestyles or beliefs contrary to Scripture, but even then we need to
come along side fellow believers and encourage them rather than shunning or
judging.
Why should we do all of this?
To prove that we are better? Heaven forbid!!! We are no better than anyone else
and that is partly why we should accept others, because we have no right to put
ourselves above anyone else. However, there is a far greater reason, and that
is the fact that Christ has accepted us, even though we could in no way earn
His acceptance. We actually deserve to be excluded and cast out, but He didn’t.
He chose to accept us, all of us. If He is so inclusive, should not also we be?
We need to remember where we came from and how we got here, by no work or merit
of our own, but by the grace of God. This acceptance of others shows God’s
love, not only to them, but also to the world. Jesus said that they will know
we are His by our love, by loving others as He does. This is where the rubber
meets the road.
Are you willing to love like
Christ? Are you willing to sacrifice your rights and privileges for others? Are
you willing to accept and include those who are different?
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