Christians Are to Accept One Another

It is rather startling to read in this passage: “Receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.” For if we truly follow this command, we will have to show others unconditional, selfless love, without regard to talents, physical attractiveness, skin color, or even likability. Christ receives and accepts us just as we are, no more, no less. This type of love is sometimes difficult to manage due to our own preferences or prejudices. But in Christ, we are all redeemed, washed clean by His blood, and enveloped by His love. We must seek to accept and uplift one another, seeing each other through Jesus’ loving gaze.

Praise the Lord that, because He accepts us as we are, we can accept others: “The Lord is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord. Let every creature praise his holy name forever and ever” (Psalm 145:17-18, 21).

Now pray this confession to the Lord to keep your life free from sin and in fellowship with Him: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins” (Psalm 25:16-18).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. As you agree with God’s will, voice your affirmation of His Word: “You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. Sustain me according to your promise, and I will live; do not let my hopes be dashed. Uphold me, and I will be delivered; I will always have regard for your decrees” (Psalm 119:114, 116-117).

As you make your requests known to the Lord, include:

• Greater faithfulness with your finances,
• Wisdom in daily living,
• Revival among American Christians.

Now offer this closing prayer to the Father: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

“We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me. For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God” (Romans 15:1-7).