L.O.A - Part 2
A.O.A = Accept One Another
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Romans 15:7 NIV
Now that we have talked about L.O.A - Love One Another. Let's discuss a piece that is part of the L.O. A. Which is the A.O.A = Accept One Another.
As wide as we imagine the gap to be between ourselves and our most disliked enemies, Paul reminds us that there was never a gap wider than the one between you and God. If Christ accepted you when you were weak and ungodly, certainly you can accept others when they differ from you in much less significant ways.
Accepting one another sounds easy if you don’t think about it or try it.
What makes the idea of acceptance difficult is our DIFFERENCES.
We are different in personalities.
We are different in gender.
We are different in our spiritual growth.
We are different in how we were raised.
We are different in our convictions and beliefs about various things.
We are different in our interests.
We are different in how we communicate.
We are different in our own weaknesses and strengths.
We are different in our preferences.
We are different in some of our values.
The Lord is fully aware how each of us are designed and how all the items listed above affect us being unified. This is what makes a renewed mind and having the mind of Christ is so critical to us accepting one another. Why it is so necessary for us to live out our motto: To show unity even more in 2024.
Romans 12:2 NKJV : And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
1 Corinthians 2:15 NKJV
For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Unity among different parts are seen in several places around us. The human body, an orchestra, sports team,etc..
If we don’t handle our differences well, they can easily divide us and instead of accepting, we start rejecting one another and pushing each other away. However, God is very clear. According to Romans 15:7 we are told to “accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory” (NLT). Let’s think about this statement today and apply some truths to our lives.
Would it be safe to say that my lack of accepting others is a reflection of my relationship with God? Let's be real. We may be really good at doing "stuff" that doesn't involve people for the Lord. But, would the true test of growth in Him be how I treat people whose differences (see list above) are different from mine?
Some steps for learning to accept others and God how accepted you.
Number one, accepting one another is a command..
This is not a suggestion by God. God wants and expects us to be accepting of others. Instead of being known for rejecting others, God wants His people to be known for their acceptance and love of others. This is a command to you and me to accept each other.
Number two, accepting one another is to receive others with special care.
Accepting others is welcoming them into your life as you would treat someone who is
important in your life. It’s placing value on the person, significance on the person
and dignity on them.
Whenever you are not placing value and significance on someone you are already beginning to reject them. God says to you and me accept each other WITH our differences.
Number three, accepting one another is not ignoring the person’s sin.
You can accept someone and still address the sin in their life. Accepting someone does NOT mean you approve of everything they do, believe, or stand for. There are going to be times that the people who you love and accept are going to sin and are going to need to be confronted. Jesus said, “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back” (Matt. 18:15, NLT). Accepting each other does not mean we are to ignore each other’s sin. You can accept others and still confront them just like Christ, who we know and has proven His love does for us.
Example: One statement is found in Galatians 6:1 which says, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path” (NLT). When another believer is overcome by some sin they are overcome by sexual immorality, jealousy, selfish ambition, dissension, envy, drunkenness and some other sin (see Gal. 5:19-21) you are to accept them by gently and humbly helping them back onto the right path. When they are overcome by some sin it is not a time for rejection, ridicule, and humiliation.
The point is this. Accepting each other does not mean accepting them and ignoring everything in their life that may be harmful to them or others. Accepting them is loving them enough to welcome them in your life and confront them when necessary.
Number four, accepting one another is based on how Christ accepted you. Romans 15:7 says, “Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you” (NLT). God wants you to accept others in the deepest and fullest sense. You accept them with love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness… just as Christ has accepted you.
There are at least four characteristics of Christ accepting you.
Jesus accepted you with joy - Luke 15:4-7
Jesus accepted you in spite of your sin
He loved you while you were rebellious. He loved you while you were disobedient. He loved you while you were ignoring Him. Romans 5:8 puts it this way, “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (NLT). Acceptance.
Jesus accepted you impartially
Listen carefully to what Jesus said in John 6:37 to a crowd of people, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink!” (NLT). Jesus is talking about salvation, but notice the word “anyone.” Impartial.
Then in Romans 2:11 we read, “For God does not show favoritism” (NLT). That’s being impartial. No favoritism. God accepted you, accepted me, and anyone who comes to Him.
Think about this:
When Jesus accepted you… you didn’t have everything figured out, you didn’t understand a lot of things in the Bible, you didn’t know God’s will about a lot of things. As a matter of fact when Jesus accepted you, He received you and your sins. He received you and all the mess that comes with you. So, you are told to “accept each other just as Christ has accepted you.” This brings us to our last observation.
Accepting one another is for the purpose of glorifying God
Romans 15:7 says, “Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory” (NLT). When you follow the Lord’s example in receiving each other in love and without judgment or condescension, you give God glory. You bring honor to His name as one of His representatives. When you accept others you are demonstrating God’s acceptance of them. You accept others so that God will be given glory.
Conclusion
Quote: Lift People up when they make a mistake. Bearing a cross that
isn't yours is more Christ-like than nailing others to theirs.
Living Word, make the choice today to allow the Lord to empower you this day to L.O.A and to A.O.A To Love On Another and Accept One Another.
Then we can "Show unity even more in 2024"
.Amen.