We all crave acceptance – from our parents, colleagues or friends. The great thing about the gospel is that Christ accepts us, and because of that the church must be a place of love, acceptance and welcome for all.
At our Sunday morning meeting we looked at Romans 15:6-13.
If you want to listen to the sermon it is available online here.
In Romans 15:7 Paul says accept one another – as Christ has accepted you.
Christ becomes a servant of the Jews to save the nations. He’s not just saving the Jews but fulfilling all the promises of God to the Jews by saving from all nations. The quotes from the Old Testament in verses 9 to 12 show that it’s always been the plan to bless all the nations.
All this is not a history lesson but it means that you as a Christian believer whatever your “way in” can be accepted and should be accepting and welcoming of other believers. How wrong to reject someone accepted by Christ.
Paul continues in verse 7 accept one another – to bring praise to God.
The goal of salvation is the glory and praise of God and the goal of our unity is that God will be praised. So it’s all about God’s glory but the great thing is that it’s also about our blessing. The whole section is about nations joyfully praising God and Paul ends with a prayer that they would know in their experience, peace hope and joy.
