Acceptance That Leads To Love

 

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”

—Romans 15:7

I felt a little nudge of irony when I begin to write this particular blog post. Because I depend on an on-line service to choose the Scripture passage for me each day, I sometimes fall victim to a subject that might be a bit harder for me to write about than others. I’m sure, in those rare cases, God smiles at me because He knows He has given me a harder task to do.

Acceptance is a subject that rubs a sore spot for me. In the broadest possible context, throughout the span of my life, I have not been “accepted.”

I confess I’m a truly odd person. I have diverse interests that are very different from most people. I am significantly obese, which has often made it harder for people to accept me. I have a host of other idiosyncrasies that, as a child, made me the last person chosen for games and, as an adult, have made me the last person anyone wants to talk with at a social gathering.

In reaction, I have become seriously hesitant to accept other people. I find it far easier to turn away from other people than I do to turn toward them. I find it easier to develop of a mental list of why I shouldn’t accept someone than to actively seek reasons why I should.

I know—shame on me.

And so, the irony comes when I am confronted by the words of the Apostle Paul, as recorded in Romans 15:7:

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

In fairness, you might think that Paul is writing to the Christians gathered in the church at Rome. If so, he is urging Christians to accept other Christians. But that might not be the case. Take note of the preceding verses, Romans 15:1-6:

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.

For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The next verse in sequence is the one chosen for today. Now some might still assert that these words of the Apostle are largely meant for Christians relating to Christians. But, the reference to “neighbors” seems to open this passage up to a broader application.

In any case, as we begin a new day, let’s at least consider the possibility that we should become more acceptant of others.

It’s important to note that we can accept someone without affirming his or her behavior.

Once we understand that, we can reach out in acceptance and, if God so desires—and most of the time He certainly does—allow that acceptance to grow into God-breathed love.

That’s going to be very hard for me. But, I’m willing to give it a try. How about you?

 

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