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)
You know, I am pretty thankful God doesn’t put conditions on His acceptance of me based on what I do, say or think. I would be one lost daughter for sure! Honestly, I think about that sometimes. I absolutely Do NOT deserve God’s acceptance based on…well…me! BUT GOD…He accepts me because of…well… me! Once you become a believer in Jesus Christ, God just sees His beautiful daughter/handsome son. He no longer sees our stain-filled, disgusting sin. I don’t know about you, but that blows my mind!
This world is mostly based on, “What can you DO for me?” If I DO this for you, what will you give in return?”, or “What have you done for me lately?” For me, growing up in NJ and then moving to the south in 2003 was quite a culture shock!! Up north, everyone seems to be too busy! Preoccupied. Most are so focused on where they’re headed and how to get there, that they don’t see the people around them. Few take time to just chat with you.
When we first moved to the south, my friend, who grew up in the south, actually stood back and watched this play out. My husband and I needed to buy some furniture, so my friend took us to the store. We saw what we wanted to purchase, we purchased the furniture, and we were headed out the door when another sales person started a conversation with us. My friend giggled as she told us later she could actually see the anxiety my husband and I were feeling. I mean after all…we already purchased our furniture…. you (The sales person) didn’t have to “buy” our attention/affection to make a sale! We want to leave now!
My friend was right, but we never realized until then! We had the mentality that you do ________________ and you receive __________. There was no such thing as being…NICE just because! I can laugh now, but the reality check was a needed smack in the face! Kindness, especially the southern kind we experienced at the furniture store, is another form of acceptance. This poor salesperson was just being kind and simply wanted to talk – just talk. He had no agenda! Thankfully our Lord is the same way!
Isn’t it a wonderful and freeing reality that as a believer in Christ, (one that has asked forgiveness of sin and has put trust in Jesus), you can just “chat” with God with NO agenda? You just be you! Fully accepted and deeply loved by your Heavenly Father! Imagine treating others the same? A beautiful concept!
- Jesus was and is kind, accepting and in no hurry to get away from people- from you or me. Matthew 9:35-36 shows Jesus’ acceptance of others though He was tired, busy. He treated others kindly!
- Would you read Matthew 9:35-36 and find another reference showing Jesus’ loving acceptance of others and ask Him to be kind to others through you? So many people just need a kind word or a conversation with a good listener.
- Get with a friend (family or otherwise) and talk about the differences you have observed working with and for accepting, kind bosses and co-workers. How about students with whom you go to school? Anyone need the kind acceptance of a friend? Please note that being kind to others doesn’t mean I condone their wrong behavior or agree with their views. If I am waiting to show kindness to someone who agrees with me completely and performs to my expectations, well, it’s going to be a lonely life!