“Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.“
— Romans 15:7 KJV
Reflection on Today's Verse
That verse hits deep. It’s not just about tolerating people or being polite. It’s about acceptance—real, Christ-like acceptance. And that’s challenging because people can be messy. They have flaws, opinions we don’t like, and habits that annoy us. But Paul reminds us: Jesus welcomed us as we were, not after we got our act together. He didn’t wait for us to be “acceptable” before embracing us.
So what does that mean for us? It means church isn’t a country club for the like-minded; it’s a family, with all its quirks and conflicts. It means setting aside our pride and preferences and saying, “I may not agree with you, but I love you because Jesus loves you.” It means seeing people the way Christ sees them—worthy of grace, just like we are.
And here’s the best part: when we love like that, we’re not just being nice people—we’re glorifying God. Our acceptance of others becomes an act of worship. That’s huge.
So today, maybe there’s someone who’s hard to love, someone who rubs you the wrong way. What would it look like to accept them the way Jesus accepted you? Not just with words, but with a heart that reflects His love?
Personal Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for accepting me—not because I earned it, but because of Your grace. You saw my flaws, my failures, and my brokenness, yet You welcomed me with open arms.
Help me to love like that. Soften my heart toward those who are different from me, who challenge me, or who I struggle to understand. Teach me to see them through Your eyes—not as obstacles, but as people deeply loved by You.
Forgive me for the times I’ve withheld grace, choosing judgment over compassion. Fill me with Your Spirit so that my words, actions, and attitude reflect Your love. Let my acceptance of others bring You glory, just as Yours has transformed my life.
Make me a vessel of Your peace, Lord. Use me to build bridges, not walls. And when it’s hard, remind me that You never hesitated to embrace me.
In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.