2 Chronicles 30-31 / Romans 15:1-22 / Psalm 25 ;1-15 / Proverbs 20:13-15
We were taught to be kind to everyone. Race, religion, social status – none of that mattered. People are people and are loved by God who created them in His image. Sure, there are people we get along with better than others. There are people whose personality rubs us the wrong way. That means not everyone will be in my “best friend” circle.” That does not mean I am permitted to look down on anyone.
Scripture is filled with words that encourage us to love others, accept others as they are, etc. There are two verses in Romans 15 that remind me how to treat others. Verse 5 – May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Verse 7 – Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.
Live in complete harmony with each other. Accept each other as Christ has accepted you. We have so many discussions at Bethesda Springs Church about loving people as they are and not thinking too highly of ourselves. We had yet another discussion that wound around to this topic today.
Why would we not accept another? I have two thoughts. The first is, for me to refuse to accept someone else is to believe I am somehow better than they are. Second, if my discernment tells me someone is dangerous, I do have the right to keep a watchful distance for my own safety.
But for the most part, people are kind and good and would not be harmful to me. The strong point I take away from these two verses is that Jesus Christ has accepted me in my sin and imperfection, now I am expected to accept others.
The word “accept” means to take or receive into one’s home, with the collateral idea of kindness, or to receive, i.e. grant one access to one’s heart to take into friendship.
This is kind of a big deal. According to this definition, I am not just casually spending a little time with you; I am committing my life to yours. I also believe there must be an assumption that you are willing to do the same. I am not willing for this to be a one-sided acceptance. If I’m putting “skin in the game”, I am expecting you to do the same.
This tells me that God is serious about our human relationships. As one who finds it difficult to trust people immediately, this is intimidating. And I will fully admit I’m not ready to do this with everyone. It takes me years to build a friendship to the point of trusting someone with intimate details of my life. There are very few who fit this description.
I think it’s good that not everyone is given access to the intimate details of one’s life. I believe that because no one person has the capacity to hold space for more than a few people to this degree and level. I have many acquaintances, several friends, and few intimate friends (my husband being at the top of that list).
I am, however, willing to love people as they are., without judgement or criticism. I need space to be and grow, as do you. If you find yourself in a community who loves you as you are and is willing to allow you to grow in Christ at His pace, you’ve found an immense gift. KEEP THOSE PEOPLE!
