Weekly Word Archives

One Another Series

Accept One Another

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This is the result of a challenge issued by a very godly, older man who has been in the ministry for 40 years. He challenged us to do a study in the New Testament of the “one another” passages. I did that study and came up with quite a list of ways God calls us to relate to each other. The study made a real impact in my life and I hope that it will in yours as well. I would encourage you to look up the Scriptures in your Bible and see how God may want you to apply them to your circumstances in life.

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. Romans 15:7

I believe that this is one of the most critical passages in the Bible on how we are to relate to each other. It is a very critical issue in marriage, in friendships, with our children and with other Christians. I see this as one of the major issues many people cannot get past in their marriage. In that verse, Paul tells the Roman Christians (and God tells us) what we are to do, how we are to do it, and why we are to do it.

What are we to do? "Accept one another." It is what many people call the principle of receiving (the KJV translates this as "Receive one another"). "Accept" is the Greek word "proslambano." It means literally "to take to oneself, signifying a special interest on the part of the receiver, suggesting a welcome." So we are to receive or take that other Christian to ourselves, welcome them. It does not mean that acceptance is the same as approval or agreement. We can disagree with others or not approve of some of their behavior and still accept them, receive them and welcome them.

How are we to do it? "As Christ accepted you." In the same way Christ has accepted or received you, you are to accept others. Did He accept you based on your behavior, on anything you have done? No. Is there anything you can do to cause Him to no longer accept you? No. To the same degree that we understand, receive and believe this acceptance in our relation to Jesus – to that same degree, we can extend that acceptance to another person. That means our acceptance is not based on their behavior. Jesus accepts that Christian with whom you struggle, can you accept him/her? Jesus accepts you and accepts your spouse without any change. Can you accept your spouse without any change? Will you choose to see one another as Jesus does?

Why are we to accept one another? "In order to bring praise to God." Our acceptance of each other brings praise to God. Whatever God calls us to do, He will enable us, equip us, and empower us to do. Remember – we do not accept each other out of our own resources, our own self-effort, but out of the acceptance we have received from Him!