“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring glory to God.” Romans 15:7
Romans 15:7 is a simple verse with profound implications. We are told to accept one another just as Jesus Christ has accepted us and that this will bring glory to God.
Consider how Jesus Christ has accepted us:
He came not to condemn, but to extend grace, mercy and love.
Where we fell short, He supplied what we lacked.
While we were still His enemies, He took initiative to seek out our friendship.
He did not wait for us to earn His love, He loves us unconditionally.
He enthusiastically and joyfully celebrates our taking steps to return to Him.
He left the comfort of Heaven to enter the challenges of our world for our sakes.
He accepts us without prejudice.
He accepts us without keeping a record of our wrongs.
He accepts us not for what we can give to Him but for what He can give to us.
He accepts us with enthusiasm, joy, grace, forgiveness, personal sacrifice, kindness, love.
May we be Christians who extend this same kind of acceptance to others- not on the basis of whether or not they deserve it- but because of how Jesus Christ has accepted us. By this God is glorified. God is put on display as we show others the same kind of loving acceptance we have been shown by God in Christ. May we all accept one another, flaws and all, just as Christ has accepted us, and as a result, may God be seen for the amazing God that He is.