Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. — Romans 15:7 KJV
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. — Romans 15:7 NIV
Reflection on Verse for Today
Paul has prayed for the church in Rome to be united and in harmony with one another. Now he urges them one last time to welcome one another in the same manner in which Christ has welcomed them. This is not just a nice-sounding statement that you should pin up on the wall for decoration. Paul is giving believers the instruction to fully welcome and integrate other Christians in community with themselves, even those Christians with whom they have significant disagreements about what is and is not authorized. He is giving them the command to put their freedoms that have been earned through Christ to the side in order to strengthen the church.
Why would they act in such a way? At the end of the day, it is all to add to the glory of God. To put it another way, if I don’t make room in my community for Christian believers who have different convictions than mine, I won’t be able to take part in activities that bring glory to God. It will prevent me from accomplishing the precise goal that I have set for myself in this life. Acting as if my own convictions are without doubt, as if I were infallible or beyond reproach, makes it impossible for me to grasp the holiness and grandeur of God, let alone my own place in the body of Christ. This is because I am acting as if I were infallible or beyond blame.
My Prayer
Heavenly Father, I pray that we would be able to let your Spirit and your grace help us in tearing down any walls that separate your people on the basis of race, culture, or privilege. Teach us, and especially teach me, to love all people the way you love us. My prayer is offered in the name of Jesus, who gave his life for all people, everywhere. Amen.