Day 15: Accept One Another
Bible passage: Romans 15:5–7; Luke 6:32–36; Romans 12:18
Loving People We Disagree With
Today is Wednesday 15th of January 2020. Welcome to Day 15 of our 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting. Yesterday we prayed for our neighbours. Today we look at how we treat them, especially the ones who are not like us.
Paul gives the church in Rome a simple instruction, and a standard to measure it by. They are to “accept each other just as Christ has accepted you”, so that God will be given glory. Romans 15:7 (NLT)
How God Treats People
Kind to the Ungrateful
Jesus said that there is nothing remarkable about loving people who love us back. Even sinners do that (Luke 6:32). His followers are called to something higher: to love their enemies, to do good to them and to lend without expecting to be repaid.
The reason He gives is the character of God Himself, who is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. We are to be compassionate, as our Father is compassionate (Luke 6:35–36).
Kindness That Leads Somewhere
Paul asks the Romans whether they realise how kind, tolerant and patient God has been with them. His kindness, Paul says, is intended to turn us from our sin (Romans 2:4).
God’s kindness is not weakness, and it is not approval of everything we do. It has a purpose. It leads us to repentance. If His kindness has that effect on us, our kindness may well help to lead other people to Him.
Welcome Without Compromise
What Jesus Did
To accept someone is not the same as agreeing with every choice they make. It means welcoming them and valuing them as a person made by God. Psalm 139:14 says that each of us is wonderfully made. Jesus held welcome and truth together every time.
The woman at the well. He spoke with a Samaritan woman whom others avoided and offered her living water, and He was honest with her about her life (John 4:7–18).
The woman caught in adultery. He stood between her and her accusers and refused to condemn her, and then He told her to go and sin no more (John 8:10–11).
Zacchaeus. He invited Himself to the home of a dishonest tax collector, and by the end of the visit Zacchaeus was putting right what he had done wrong (Luke 19:5–8).
James and John. He kept them as His close friends, and He rebuked them when they wanted to call down fire on a village (Luke 9:54–55).
In every case the welcome came first. People changed in His company. They were not required to change before they were allowed in.
As Far As It Depends on You
Paul adds a realistic word. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone (Romans 12:18). We cannot control how other people respond. We can decide how we will treat them.
Three Steps for Today
Pray for those you disagree with. Think of people whose politics, lifestyle or beliefs are far from yours. Pray for them by name, and ask God to bless them.
Check your welcome. Is there someone you have kept at arm’s length? Take one step towards them this week.
Remember how you were received. Thank God that He welcomed you before you had put anything right.
Prayer for Today:
Father, thank You that Christ accepted me when I had nothing to commend me. Forgive me for the people I have written off or kept at a distance. Give me Your compassion for those I find it hard to love and those I disagree with. Help me to hold truth and kindness together as Jesus did, and let my kindness lead people to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Keep going
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