The Example of Christ
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Rom 15:7
as Christ also... Christians are to receive each other in spite of their faults and scruples, as Christ has received them.
If the sinless perfect Son of God was willing to bring sinners into God’s family, how much more should those who have been forgiven be willing to warmly embrace and accept each other despite their disagreements over issue of conscience?
John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” “By this shall all [men] know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
Since
the goal of interpersonal relationships among Christians is a unified
glorying of God, Paul concluded his commands with Accept one another
(pres. imper., “keep on accepting or receiving one another”).
Significantly this is the same command Paul gave the strong
Christians when he opened this entire discussion (Rom. 14:1). The
Model of acceptance for Christians, however, is the Lord Jesus, who
accepted us. The Lord received believers when they were not only
“powerless” (Rom. 5:6, lit., “weak”) but also “ungodly”
(Rom. 5:6), “sinners” (Rom. 5:8), and “enemies” (Rom. 5:10).
Certainly Christians can receive others who differ with them on
nonessential matters. Jesus Christ received them so that they can
bring praise to God (lit., “unto glory of God”), which is the
purpose of Christian unity (Rom. 15:6).
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