OUR CHIEF END
August 22, 2024
Romans 15:7
“Accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory”.
"That God will be given glory," is a consistent theme in all of scripture. Here are a few examples:
1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Psalm 115:1 Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!
1 Corinthians 6:20 For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.
Revelation 4:11 “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”
The Westminster Shorter Catechism opens with the question "What is the chief end of humankind?" (Man) The answer given is that our chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever. The Heidelberg Catechism says God created us in his own image, so that we might truly know God our creator, love him with all their heart, and live with God in eternal happiness, to praise and glorify him.
Our focus today is that last statement in Romans 15:7 that reminds us what all this One Another-ing, this acceptance of each other is about ... "so that God will be given glory”.
What the Apostle Paul desires for us to comprehend in this verse is that when we follow the Jesus example in receiving each other in love and without judgment or condescension, you give God glory. You bring honor to His name as one of His followers. When you accept others you are demonstrating God’s acceptance of them. You accept others so that God will be given glory.
When we read the opening chapters of the Book of Acts we see how the spirit powered community glorifies God in many ways. However, for me I am drawn to their unity, their acceptance of each other, their welcome of all people. Remember, on the Day of Pentecost the disciples declared the wonders of God in multiple languages, and many believed. This was a mixed group of people with many differences, language being one of them, we also know that the gathering community was made up of slaves and the free, wealthy and poor, some even sold properties to care for the needs of others. We read in response to this that this community of Jesus followers was well thought of by society at large. They may not have believed what this growing community believed but they were glad they were at work in Jerusalem. They brought glory to God. How? Well who else but God could bring such a mixed group together in unity, acceptance, care and welcome?
That is what Paul is getting at here in Romans 15:7. The acceptance of others, and doing life together, loving on them, and caring about them, is a witness to the culture around us of what God by his spirit can do, and when this occurs God's name is honored, glorified and praised.
When we read the opening chapters of the Book of Acts we see how the spirit powered community glorifies God in many ways. However, for me I am drawn to their unity, their acceptance of each other, their welcome of all people. Remember, on the Day of Pentecost the disciples declared the wonders of God in multiple languages, and many believed. This was a mixed group of people with many differences, language being one of them, we also know that the gathering community was made up of slaves and the free, wealthy and poor, some even sold properties to care for the needs of others. We read in response to this that this community of Jesus followers was well thought of by society at large. They may not have believed what this growing community believed but they were glad they were at work in Jerusalem. They brought glory to God. How? Well who else but God could bring such a mixed group together in unity, acceptance, care and welcome?
That is what Paul is getting at here in Romans 15:7. The acceptance of others, and doing life together, loving on them, and caring about them, is a witness to the culture around us of what God by his spirit can do, and when this occurs God's name is honored, glorified and praised.
LET US PRAY
God, strengthen the hearts of your church in all your servants. Give us grace to concentrate ourselves faithfully and entirely to your service. Help us to encourage one another in love, and grow together as your people, through the merits of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
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