Acceptance

Acceptance
Words of Faith 12-2-2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2021
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Romans 15
    [7] Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

    Why should we accept one another? There are many people I know who are totally lost. Some have terrible ways of living. Why should I accept them? And even the Christians I know are not much better. Most of the Christians I know are sinners. In fact, come to think of it, all of them are! And most of the Christians I know are hypocrites-- that is, they act more godly than they really are. In fact, I suppose that I fit in that group as well. But why should I accept imperfect people?
    The reason is quite simple. It is because Christ has accepted you unconditionally. Remember? At just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly (Romans 5:6). That's you and me. Remember?
    And God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). There we are again. For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life (Romans 5:10)! That's you and me all over. So accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters Romans (14:1).
    Does that mean that we approve of the mistakes people make or the rebellious things they do? No. But we extend to people the very same unconditional love that Christ extended to us. He loved us and accepted us before we were saved. He extended grace to us that we could never earn or deserve.
    Jesus does not wait for us to cleanse ourselves before He gives us a bath. That makes no sense. His love and offer of grace are unconditional. All we can do is receive it. That is why the love we offer must be the same love. Unconditional. That is acceptance. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you to bring praise to God.

    Lord, I want to bring praise to God not just with my lips but with my life.  Lord, show me today the people You love that I have been rejecting. Open my eyes and my heart to those You have died for that I may love that person with Your love. In Jesus' name.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2021
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)        
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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