God Says I’m Accepted

In review of Romans 15:7 it says, “Therefore, accept each other in the same way that Christ accepted you. He did this to bring glory to God” (GW).

Bottom Line:

Accept as you have been accepted.

What this means to me:

I need to accept others in the same way Jesus accepted me. This will bring glory to God.

In the first part of Romans 15, Paul explains how I must be considerate of others. Of how I must not just please myself. But how I should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn't life to please himself. May God, who gives patience and encouragement, help me life in complete harmony with others, as is fitting for one who follows Christ. Join together with others with on voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. I'm to accept others just a Christ has accepted me so that God will be given glory. Christ came as a servant to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them.

My knowledge of the Scriptures will greatly affect my attitude toward the present and the future (it helps shape my perspective). The more I know about what God has done in years past, the greater the confidence I have about what he will do in the days ahead. I need to keep getting into his word and increase my trust that God's will is best for me.

Accepting means taking people into my home as well as into my heart, sharing meals and activities, and avoiding racial and economic discrimination. I must go out of my way to avoid favoritism. Consciously spend time getting those I don't normally talk to, minimize differences and seek common ground in fellowship. In this way I am accepting others as Christ has accepted me, and God is given glory.

I have to admit that I spend a lot of time trying to earn acceptance. I want to earn it from our parents, peers, partners in life, people I respect, and maybe even people I envy. The drive to be accepted is a deep drive that can influence the kinds of clothes I wear, the kind of car I drive, the kind of house I buy, and even the career I chose.

What I’m learning is that I do it because I love the feeling of “I’m okay. Somebody accepts me.” When I’m accepted, it does tremendous things for my self-worth. The truth is, Jesus accepts me, and that acceptance is not based on my performance. In fact, I may have received Christ, but do I really realize that I’m able to do that because Jesus accepted me? I don’t have to earn his acceptance. I don’t have to prove myself to him.

I need to stop thinking, “I’ve got an unpleasable God up there, and I’ve got to be a good boy or girl to be accepted.” God, through Jesus Christ, has already accepted me. That’s the Good News!

The Bible teaches, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me” (Psalm 27:10 NIV). Even today I may be trying to prove myself to an unpleasable person. I’m still attempting to earn that acceptance. I need to understand two things: First, if I haven’t gotten the approval by now, then I’m not likely to ever get it, and second, that is their problem, not mine.

I don’t need to be accepted by others to please God. I’ve been accepted by God. I have more than 7 billion people on the planet. If some of them don’t like me, I don’t need to worry. I don’t need it. God has accepted me!