INCLUDED IN CHRIST

 

Romans 15:7-10  Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God's truth, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs so that the Gentiles may glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing hymns to your name." Again, it says, "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." (NIV)
 

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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages

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It must have been difficult for the believers in Rome, who had a Jewish background. They had grown up believing that only the children of Israel (Jacob's new name) and their descendents could be included in God's family. Then as they heard the gospel and trusted in Jesus, they found that non-Jews (Gentiles) were also discovering Jesus. So those who worshipped Jesus had people from such different backgrounds ... how would they relate together?

Paul instructed them to accept each other as equal in God's sight and therefore they were brothers and sisters. If they despised each other they would dishonour their Heavenly Father and their worship would be false. The Jews needed to be generous and understand that their rich spiritual heritage had to be shared, because it provided the essential background to understand Jesus better. God's mission to the world was not to exclude the Gentiles, but to include them; as they repented and followed Jesus Christ. His plan was for Jews and Gentiles (that is everybody in the world!) to have their sins forgiven, find peace with God and be united together in Christ.

Naturally, we like those who are like us. Language, colour, religious background, social status, occupation and age can so easily define us to other people ... and them to us. But if we are trusting in Jesus, none of those criteria should be barriers to our fellowship with other believers. Indeed, if we even feel that way, our worship is spoiled and we have forgotten that Jesus is for everybody. In the same way that the believers in Rome had to be instructed to accept other believers who were different, so we need to hear the same message and obey.

Prayer:  Loving Father. Thank You for including me in Your family when I believed in Jesus Christ as my Saviour and Lord. I am glad that Your love is so wide that everybody may come to You through Jesus. So I am sorry when I have discriminated and have not accepted some of Your children as my spiritual siblings. Please help me to know what is right and then please change my heart so that I will learn to love those who are different and accept those whose background is different to mine; so that my worship will not be spoiled. In Jesus' Name. Amen.