ROMANS 15:7

The depth of the Scriptures cannot be covered in one sermon over an entire chaptrer--at least not by me. So here are some thoughts about what I will not be preaching about on this weekend but are yet excellent admonitions for us to dwell on.

"Accept one another, then just as "Christ accepted you.." I was intrigued by this verse because a different word is used in King James and in Revised Standard version. King James---'receive one another', RSV 'welcome one another' and here in NIV it says 'accept one another'. Now each of these words in English holds a little different nuance to me. So wanting clarification I went to the Greek to check it out. Lo and behold, the primary English equivalent to the actual word in Greek is 'welcome, accept, receive'. So obviously each of the translation teams chose a different word--all were accurate and yet for us English readers, the nuances still beg clarification. For instance, I can receive someone into my home and not accept them at all. I can accept someone with their differences in religion or world view or personal taste and yet not truly welcome them into my personal sphere. It is also possible to welcome someone without accepting them. For instance nations at meetings of their leaders, do this sort of thing all the time. Graciously formal and correct in etiquette but not accepting or welcoming into personal spheres of affection.

So what are we to make of this usage and how is God directing us to act and feel towards 'one another'(which in the New Testament is a technical term for believers--those in Christ)?

Here is my take on this. See if it makes some sense and respond if you desire.
I believe that the english usage of all three words is the intent of Paul in this verse. I am called to 'accept'--every believer in Christ. I am not their judge nor am I to set their course of corrections before they are acceptable to our fellowship. If God has accepted them--so must I. But this call is more than just to 'accept' (in that sense) It is also to 'receive' them. Open the doors, make a space for them, help them be at home. This goes beyond our understanding of 'accept' and now includes 'receiving'. But in my understanding, I believe that this verse goes way beyond just our understanding of 'accept' and 'receive'. Now add to these meanings the addition of 'welcome!. I can 'accept' you yet hold you at arms length. I may 'receive' you yet physically, emotionally and spiritually still hold you at arms length. But 'welcoming' in this sense can not truly be done at arms length. By its very nature it is to actively bring one in. It is to reach out and draw, it is to seek to create an atmosphere that draws another in, that sets another at ease, that communicates--you are at home!

So the admonition of our Lord is for us to ACTIVELY seek to create a physical, emotional, social and spiritual dynamic that shouts that each is welcomed (eagerly desired) as we recieve them (make a place for them) and accept them--just as Christ has accepted us.

AND this is not just one person's responsibility, nor only those who are 'gifted'
at it, but it is directed at each and every one of us. For as you know, it only takes one voice to destroy welcomeness, but an entire family to truly welcome.

Notice the finish then of Rom. 15:7---when we do this, when as an entire Body we truly accept, receive and welcome----THEN this brings praise to God!!!!!

Let's make God happy--together!

p.s. Here is something further to chew on: the term 'one another' is inclusive of all in the Body of Christ which includes yourself. What effect would it have on you and your ability to accept, receive and welcome others if we could truly accept, receive and welcome (embrace) ourselves---JUST AS CHRIST HAS!