Receive

“Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”  Romans 15:7. 

How hard is it for you to receive someone? What if that person has wronged you? What if that person doesn’t do things the way you want them to? What if they never meet your expectations? What if there’s a sin in their life they never overcome? What if they never ask for your forgiveness? What if they’re hateful to you or to someone you love? What if they disappoint you again and again? What if…??

I’m guilty. But you know what happens if I don’t receive someone because of their behavior? I become their judge. Instead of receiving, I resist them. And that’s not how Christ received us.  

Jesus received us when we were in sin. We were ugly. We’d wronged him. We’d disappointed him. We didn’t measure up. We were full of hate, resentment, bad attitudes, bad language, bad actions, and selfishness. We were just bad. And yet…he received us. 

My receiving you should not be based on what you do. I need to receive you because Christ did. His goodness leads us to repentance. Mine should, too. 

 

“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?”

Romans 2:4