ACCEPTING ... BUT WAIT?
August 20, 2024
O Lord, govern my life by your wisdom, so that my soul may
always be serving you as you desire, not as I may choose. Do not grant what I
ask if it offends your love, which always must be living in me. Let me surrender my own will, that I may serve you; let me
live to you, for you are the true life. Amen.
Romans 15:7
Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory.
Let us think a little further on this call that God places on us to "accept one another."
To accept one another does not mean overlooking each other's behaviors and attitudes. Their "Sin" we used to say it. Here is the thing we often struggle with, I hear this in many conversations, if I am accepting of others am I not approving of those actions that are unchristlike? Accepting someone does not mean you approve of everything they do, believe, or stand for. There are going to be times that the people who you love and accept are going to make choices that you may not agree with, and that perhaps have dire consequences, and you are going to need to confront this.
Jesus said, “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back” (Matt. 18:15, NLT). Acceptance of one another does not imply overlooking each other's actions. It is possible to accept someone while also addressing their behavior.
Paul would tell Timothy,“Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2, NLT). Simply because someone addresses a sin in your life doesn’t mean they are rejecting you, they may be accepting you… but just wanting to help you because they love and care for you. They want the very best. I believe, "correct, rebuke" without a patient delivery and encouragement can be the wrong approach. My Dad, would often counsel, "Son, we have to be careful to not try to do the work of the Holy Spirit." That means, that to "patiently correct and rebuke and encourage", ought to be entered into prayerfully.
God’s Word tells us how to do this.
One statement is found in Galatians 6:1 which says, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path” (NLT). When another believer is overcome by some sin… they are overcome by sexual immorality, jealousy, selfish ambition, dissension, envy, drunkenness and some other sin (see Gal. 5:19-21) you are to accept them by gently and humbly helping them back onto the right path. When they are overcome by some sin, it is not a time for rejection, ridicule, and humiliation.
Let's look at one more. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 says, “Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone” (NLT). Take a look at this word “lazy” (ataktos). It refers to anyone who did not perform his duty or follow through on his responsibility as a follower of Jesus. They would become apathetic toward their spiritual growth and using their spiritual gifting and resources for the kingdom of God. God’s Word says we are to “warn” (parakaleo) this person when they are being lazy about who they are in Christ and the purpose of God in their life. The term "warn" implies offering support and guidance to help someone become motivated, inspired, and to address any tendencies toward neglecting their walk with Jesus.
God’s Word tells us how to do this.
One statement is found in Galatians 6:1 which says, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path” (NLT). When another believer is overcome by some sin… they are overcome by sexual immorality, jealousy, selfish ambition, dissension, envy, drunkenness and some other sin (see Gal. 5:19-21) you are to accept them by gently and humbly helping them back onto the right path. When they are overcome by some sin, it is not a time for rejection, ridicule, and humiliation.
Let's look at one more. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 says, “Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone” (NLT). Take a look at this word “lazy” (ataktos). It refers to anyone who did not perform his duty or follow through on his responsibility as a follower of Jesus. They would become apathetic toward their spiritual growth and using their spiritual gifting and resources for the kingdom of God. God’s Word says we are to “warn” (parakaleo) this person when they are being lazy about who they are in Christ and the purpose of God in their life. The term "warn" implies offering support and guidance to help someone become motivated, inspired, and to address any tendencies toward neglecting their walk with Jesus.
The point is this. Accepting each other does not mean accepting them and ignoring everything in their life that may be harmful to them or others. Accepting them is loving them enough to welcome them in your life and to confront them when necessary because you care deeply that they experience "abundant life" in Jesus.
LET US PRAY
Lord, make me an instrument of the thy peace. Where there is
hatred, let me sow love, where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope. Amen.
Attributed to St. Francis of Assisi
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