31 Day Challenge Part 2: Accepting One Another
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A thought to ponder...
What if we didn't judge by appearances or differences. What if we just accepted and loved each other for who we are. I am so thankful to the Lord that he accepts us and he loves us for who we are.
In my previous blog post I described a 31 Day Challenge for "One Courageous Community" within our churches. Today, I would like to share another challenge. One truth that I think we can all say we struggle to follow is in Romans 15:7, "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, to bring praise to God." How typical it is for each one of us to reject or to exclude each other because we might dress differently, behave differently, look differently, are from a different generation, the list can go on and on. When Jesus approached someone, he didn't look at their status, or their knowledge of the law, or how they dressed. He looked at their heart. He was deeply concerned for a person's spiritual welfare and the heart of the non-believer. He came for the lost.
As it states in Matthew 9: 10-13, Jesus came for the sinner and for the lost.
10 And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 12 But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
As brothers and sisters in Christ, we need to show love towards one another, encourage one another, and help one another grow closer to Christ. A church needs to be one unifying spirit in worshiping God. A church should not be a dividing spirit segregated into groups or individuals. A person should walk through the doors of a church and feel loved, welcomed, and a part of the church family. No one should ever feel unaccepted, hated or unwelcomed just because of who they are. How many of you have ever felt this way at a church? I know I have felt this way at a church. The atmosphere within that church made me not want to go back to that church. It made me want to give up on church altogether. Despite my unhappiness, I wanted to be obedient to God and to be obedient to my husband, whom wanted to attend this church. I also knew I wanted to keep learning about God, so I endured going to an unloving, unwelcoming church. There were times I felt excluded and left out of conversations. No one ever wanted to get to know me personally. A person should never feel this way when attending a church. A church should exhibit a Christ-like attitude and nature.
So, look around on a Sunday morning or during a Bible study. Do you see anyone sitting alone? Is there anyone who is being excluded from an event, conversations, etc.? Are you judging someone because of their background or perhaps their past or are you accepting them for who they are? A wretched sinner just like yourself. Let us join in unison in building each other up, not tearing each other down. Let us join in unison in growing closer to God and reaching those who do not know Him.
Love and Blessings!
Carol
