Acceptance: Receiving others willingly and unconditionally (even when their behavior has been imperfect) and loving them in spite of any differences that may exist between you. (Romans 15:7)
As a parent, I imagine you couldn’t even conceive of not accepting your child willingly and loving them unconditionally, even at times when they misbehaved or made poor choices.
Sadly though, many children grow up feeling unaccepted and unacceptable. These children grow up with deep thoughts of “I’m not good enough.” Their parents may have loved them, but their love was more conditional, based on behavior or performance. These children grow up with the impression left by their parents, though not always spoken in so many words, “I will give you love….IF ___________________.” This conditional loving was most likely unintentional, but unintentional hurt is still hurt.
Not being accepted and not having unconditional love communicated to the heart leaves the child feeling alone and unknown even if the family lives in the same house.
THREE SOURCES OF LIGHT – Help Us Experience Acceptance
Light Source #1: Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12)
Walking in the Light: Having a fresh encounter with Jesus.
1 Timothy 1:15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners-of whom I am the worst.
Why should we accept this? It is the TRUTH! God saves sinners. You and I are included in the “sinner” category for whom Jesus came and died.
Sin is sin. God does not have a measuring stick on sin, but play along with me for a minute. Think about your own absolute “worst” sin, as you would judge your list of sins. Perhaps, it is the one for which you feel (or felt) most ashamed, hurt, unworthy. Now think about this: You didn’t have to pay the full penalty for that sin. You won’t be separated from God forever by that sin. You didn’t have to earn your way into acceptance for that sin. You didn’t even have to give your own life for that sin; BUT GOD, out of His full acceptance of you as His son/daughter gave His Son to pay for that sin – for you.
If God knows your worst sin and still gave up His only Son for you…I would say you are fully accepted just because you are you! His love has always been and always will be unconditional. Your expression of faith in His plan of salvation, forgiveness, and freedom has made you an object of His grace.
With your memory of that and all of your sins, would you in your minds eye, place that at God’s feet. Those sins are paid for my friend, give them to their Owner. Praise Him! He deserves our praise and our fully, returned love.
Light Source #2: God’s Word is a lamp and a light, so walk in the light of frequent experiences of doing His Word. Psalm 119: 105
Let’s do:Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
I hope you just experienced a beautiful, freeing time with the Lord.
In light of that time, what would it look like to accept others as Christ accepts us? That may seem a bit overwhelming, let’s break it down.
We can accept one another by ……….
- Not passing judgement. Leave that one to God!
- Not putting our own expectations onto someone else.
- Loving unconditionally.
- Looking at the value of the person, not the negative action they did.
- Remembering everyone has a story.
- Asking God to give you His heart.
These are just a few ways. Add your own to the list!
Light Source #3: God’s people are sources of light so walk in real fellowship with our Children/children of influence. “the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14
Wouldn’t it be amazing to teach your kids to “bring God praise” with their life? Well…it would be amazing if we all did that, wouldn’t you say? :o)
All joking aside, wouldn’t that be beautiful? I can only pray that when I pass from this life, others will have seen me bring praise to God in all I did. Let’s strive for that and let’s teach our children by being an example of doing just that!
One way to teach your children to do that is at the end of each day talk to each other about ways you both may have brought God praise through the day. How were you accepting of others each day? Maybe you helped someone, made a new friend, encouraged someone or did something good – just because. You can use this time to give praise to God together as a couple or, even better, as a family.
This would be a great dinner time activity. Go around the dinner table, “How did you bring God praise today?” So when we are told in the Bible to “Bless the Lord”, we can start today!
You want to know a little secret….this little activity alone will bring Him glorious praise!