Acceptance
Acceptance is the passion to connect coupled with the openness to receive.
Paul declares (Php 1:8): “For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ.” That is the passion to connect.
Paul declares (Gal 4:14): “. . . that which was a trial to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received me . . . as Christ Jesus himself.” That is the openness to receive.
How can I do this—accept someone?
Whether you can accept someone is determined by how you frame what you see. Imagine that you are standing in front of a large window. Two choices face you: look at the pane of glass; or look through the pane. If you look at the pane, you’ll see only the pane, and your vision will be trapped inside the boundaries made by the pane. But if you look through the pane, you’ll be able to see the rich expanse of life waiting to be explored outside the window and beyond the room.
A person in pain is like that pane of glass: you can look at his pain; or you can look through his pain.
If you look at her pain, you’ll see a problem to be fixed. But if you look through her pain, you’ll discover a person to be accepted.
If you look at his pain, you’ll judge him as a condemned sinner. But if you look through his pain, you’ll find brokenness and the hope to be healed.
If you look at her pain, you’ll see categories of right and wrong, good and evil. But if you look through her pain, you’ll find the image of the living God.
If you look at his pain, you’ll pronounce—”Guilty as charged!” But if you look through his pain, you’ll discover forgiveness in your heart.
If you look at her pain, you’ll declare—”Shame on you!” But if you look through her pain, you’ll find her precious in the sight of God.
If you look at his pain, you’ll angrily demand justice. But if you look through his pain, you’ll find mercy to pour out on him.
If you look at her pain, you’ll analyze symptoms of a sick soul. But if you look through her pain, you’ll discover and affirm her dignity as a person.
If you look at Jesus’ pain on the Cross, you’ll see only the wrath of God. But if you look through his pain on the Cross, you’ll discover his redeeming love.
John (Jn 3:16) proclaims: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” That is God’s passion to connect with every person.
Jesus (Jn 12:32) proclaims: “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.” That is God’s openness to receive every person.
So, God has the passion to connect with us coupled with the openness to receive us, and from our being accepted by God, we through the Holy Spirit’s presence in us have the passion to connect with one another coupled with the openness to receive one another. That is acceptance, and that is the meaning of Paul’s joy-filling news in Romans 15:7: “Therefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.”