I realize it’s possible to celebrate the global nature of the gospel while still struggling to live with and around people who are different from us. As a parent to two Hispanic boys and one black son, we’ve heard it many times from people that they “don’t see color.” But I challenge that sentiment. To ignore the God-created beauty and differences He built into us is to ignore and devalue how and who He made us to be. We have chosen instead to speak of our differences often, to celebrate them, even. Differences are beautiful and shouldn’t be ignored.

But in this context, Romans 15 brings this global vision of Scripture down to earth to the context of the ordinary relationships in the church. In this passage Paul addresses believers from different backgrounds, convictions, histories, and even some different practices. He’s already addressed the tension between the strong and the weak, but now he calls them all to a life shaped by Jesus, not by pleasing their own desires.

He gives a clear command: accept one another. Why? Because Christ accepted us.

The basis of our acceptance of others can no more stand on the differences than can our exclusions. The basis of acceptance is because we all stand before God as recipients of mercy. His mercy.

I love how Paul then connects the local admonition of acceptance of one another with the ginormous story of Scripture. Jesus first came as a servant to the circumcised, to the Jews, in order to confirm God’s promises to His people. Then, Jesus sends the disciples to the Gentiles, the uncircumcised, to invite them to glorify God for His mercy as well.

This passage is chock-full of truly beautiful language as we see Gentiles rejoicing with God’s people, the nations praising the Lord, the root of Jessie ruling the nations, and the Gentiles placing their hope in Him instead of their pagan gods.

Romans 15 and Acts 10 have become normative in the life of the church. Peter crossed the Gentile boundary with Cornelius in obedience to the Spirit. Now Jews and Gentiles alike must figure out how to remain at the same table together.

It’s easy to say all are welcome; it’s quite another to surrender preferences, bear with weakness, patiently listen, refuse to hold contempt, and truly make space in our lives for brothers and sisters whose experiences differ from ours.

We can’t pretend truth doesn’t matter, either. Paul spent an entire letter defending the truth of the gospel. Christian unity is built around the Lord who saves both Jew and Gentile, those like us and those who differ, by His matchless grace.
God has welcomed the nations. Now we must learn to live as welcomed and welcoming people who bear His name.

How could welcoming other believers require more from you than simply agreeing with the idea of inclusion? How could remembering how Jesus accepted you change the patience, generosity, and hospitality you extend to others? 

Father, You have received me with Your mercy and grace. Teach my heart to receive others in the same Spirit of mercy. Give Your church patience across differences, courage to surrender selfish preferences, and a unity around Jesus that displays Your glory to the world. Amen

“One way I can make room for someone different from me is __________________.”