Real Acceptance

Kyle Stutzman

One of the biggest struggles in our engagement with culture today is “acceptance.” We watch people living lives very different from us, and many times we will come up against a viewpoint that we completely disagree with. We just can’t see eye to eye on an issue. This isn’t anything new, but it seems like this has become a far greater problem, with the divides between people becoming much larger. 

I find a lot of the struggle for believers is about how much do I accept about a person before I have to call them out? Do I need to affirm someone who’s lifestyle I don’t agree with? And this isn’t just for the relationship between us and people without faith. In the Church we have disagreements and struggles with each other all the time. And so it feels difficult to accept each other. But I wanted to share a bit more on a concept from a message I spoke a few weeks ago. The idea of what “real” acceptance means. What does it look like? 

In Romans 15, Paul talks about living in harmony and unity with each other as brothers and sisters in Jesus. Romans 15:7 says “Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Our acceptance of each other brings praise to God, and unites us. But what exactly is acceptance? Does it mean total agreement? Does it mean complete affirmation without question? Not at all! Here’s the definition of true acceptance that we shared in that message:

Acceptance is to grant one access to another’s heart.

Acceptance is opening your heart to another person. To live in complete vulnerability. And to allow someone else to live in that vulnerability. To show love, patience, kindness, and gentleness to one another. This is how we will be examples of Jesus, how we live this acceptance out with each other. And this kind of acceptance is how we can impact those around us who do not have a relationship with Jesus. To show that incredible acceptance that Jesus showed us. Paul reminds us earlier in Romans:

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

So, whenever you have someone in your life, believer or nonbeliever, whom you disagree with or have an issue with, live out acceptance. It doesn’t mean you have to condone or participate in the lifestyle you disagree on. You just have to open your heart to them. Show love where there is hate. Show peace where there is chaos. Show patience where there is anger. This is the simple and pure acceptance that Jesus Christ has lavishly given us. And so we live it out together so that the world might experience his power and glory!