Accepted

And may God, the source of patience and encouragement, enable you to have the same point of view among yourselves by following the example of Christ Jesus, so that all of you together may praise with one voice the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Accept one another, then, for the glory of God, as Christ has accepted you.
(verses 5-7)

Read Romans 15:1-13

Have you ever moved from one location to another? It never really gets any easier, no matter how many times you move. But one thing helps make the transition easier—when you are accepted by friendly people at your new destination and made to feel welcome.

What does that mean, to be accepted? It means to be invited to take a gift of some sort. It means to feel ‘at home’ and free from hostility. It means that you are not restricted from taking something good in abundant measure. In fact, I can think of no better example than our Lord’s attitude to sinners. Jesus accepts you and makes you feel welcome. You are welcome to take his forgiveness. You are welcome to his inheritance of life and glory. You are welcome to call him ‘brother’, ‘friend’, ‘Lord’. When you see him face to face one day, he will accept you and say, ‘Welcome’.

As your heart is always open to accept people and to welcome them, Lord, help me also to accept and welcome others, especially your brothers and sisters. Amen.

by Simon Cooper, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)

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