The Art of Acceptance

Romans 15:7

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”

This post is by my friend and GUEST BLOGGER: Mark Conner, Senior Pastor of City Life Church, Melbourne.

The apostle Paul understood the vital importance of healthy relationships in every area of life - with our families at home, with friends, with co-workers in the workplace, with neighbours, and in small groups and serving teams within our church community. In order for us to relate effectively with other people, we need to learn some important skills. One of the most important relationship skills is the art of acceptance.

Paul tells us to accept one another in the same way that Christ accepts us. How did Christ accept us? He loved us and died for us while we were still his enemies and living in a life of sin. He didn’t wait for us to get our act together before he reached out to us. We are to do the same for others.

Jesus had an amazing ability to accept people – all people, just as they were. He treated every person as if they were very important – even those despised by others in his culture, such as beggars, women, and children. Most of us treat people based on the value we place on them. Jesus placed a #10 on everyone; then he treated them that way. What a difference that makes.

In contrast, the Pharisees and the religious leaders of Jesus’ day only accepted people who were like them. Everyone else they kept at a distance. Their attitude was ‘change and then you can come and be with us’ while Jesus’ approach to all people was ‘come as you are and let my grace change you.’ The story of Zacchaeus (Luke 19) is a great example of the power of acceptance in a person’s life.

Jesus told us to love our neighbour as ourselves (Matt.22:39). We all want to be accepted. Let’s do the same for others. Learn how to accept people as they are. Everyone wants to feel worthwhile. People want to feel important. Of course, acceptance does not mean approval of someone's behaviour. Acceptance is not the same as tolerance. Jesus was a friend of sinners without condoning their sin. It is an act of the heart that shows a person’s value and worth.

How do you approach people – with a smile or a frown, with a sense of acceptance or rejection? Let go of condemnation and judgment. Genuinely accept others ... just as they are ... warts and all.

Questions

• Have you ever been accepted when you were expecting rejection? How did it feel? 
• Who do you image would be most likely to fear rejection in a church?
• What are the greatest barriers in your life to becoming more accepting? 
• Please leave a comment.

Visit Mark's Blog at Mark Conner's Space. Thanks for a great guest blog!

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