31 Days to Bless Your Home, and How to Have Fun Doing It Too!
Week 2: The Sensual Home: Learning to Appeal to All Five Senses to Create Warmth and Beauty in our Homes
Day 12: Open Arms and the Touch of the Master
Welcome with open arms fellow believers who don’t see things the way you do. And don’t jump all over them every time they do or say something you don’t agree with—even when it seems that they are strong on opinions but weak in the faith department. Remember, they have their own history to deal with. Treat them gently. Romans 14:1 MSG
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| My own family is an example of accepting differences. This is when I met my future daughter-in-love’s family from Taiwan. |
Karen Carpenter sang a song that says, “Love me for what I am, for simply being me. Don’t love me for what you intend or hope that I will be.” One line says, “The picture of perfection is only in your mind.”
What a mouthful! Those meaningful lyrics put into practical terms the intention of Romans 14:1. We are to accept people for who they are, not what we assume they should be. We are not to point fingers or impose our standards of perfection upon them. We are not to reject or snub fellow believers in Christ just because they see or do things differently than we do, or because of how they look.
Now, here is where it gets a little sticky. That does not mean that we are to compromise the absolute truths in God’s Word. For example, if someone believes that there are many paths to get to God and that Jesus is merely one of many, then he is just plain wrong. We do not have to compromise and accept a lie. However, we are still to show them the love of God and point them to the truth in love. We still accept them as people who need the love of God.
On the other hand, when a debate breaks out concerning the use of hymns or contemporary music in the church, or the color of the drapes, or whether the choir should wear robes, then those are more issues of preference, not theology. It is opinion, not a breach of truth. That is an area which freedom and acceptance must prevail. We are to accept and respect each other with open arms even when they don’t see things the same way we do. We are not to engage in divisive arguments over such non-essential issues.
Let’s look briefly at a few more examples: When a person comes into the church wearing torn jeans and has tattoos and massive gauges in their ears, they should still be welcomed with open arms of love and be shown kindness just as much as the one who comes in with a suit, tie, and neatly groomed hair. We are not to judge because of someone’s appearance or to shun someone just because they are different than us. Again, tattoos, clothing, hair cuts, etc. are not the central issues of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Rather than pointing fingers and engaging in arguments over such trivial matters, show these people the love of God and allow the Holy Spirit be the one to do any necessary changing from the inside out. James 2:1-9 clearly shows the heart of God concerning those who feel like misfits.
We are careful not to judge people by what they seem to be… 2 Corinthians 5:16 CEV
Other examples might be one’s method of baptism, whether or not it is permissible to eat meat or drink a glass of wine, whether or not one worships on Saturday or Sunday, drinking coffee in the sanctuary, what translations of the Bible one prefers to read, etc. As long as we are in agreement with the essential truths in the Word of God, such as the virgin birth of Jesus and salvation in Christ alone, we must be willing to accept each other’s differences of opinions on the minor issues. It is OK to disagree as long as we are agreeable about it. As my former pastor, Russell Johnson, used to say:
“You don’t have to be my twin to be my brother.”
To make it more personal, for example, I was submerged under water when I was baptized. That is how I interpret the Scripture. However, my good friend was sprinkled as a baby. Whether or not I agree with that method, what we do agree on is that Jesus is our only way to God. We both love Him, and that is our common ground. I will not argue with her about how she was baptized, and she respects my baptism as well. We won’t let a mere difference of interpretation divide us, although we do see the importance of being in unity about the things that really do matter in Scripture.
As a church, it is important that we stand strong and unmovable in the things that truly matter. For example, here are the first four points of my statement of faith:
1. We believe the Holy Bible to be the inspired and the only infallible, authoritative Word of God. (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:20-21)2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1; John 10:30, 37, 38)3. We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His Virgin Birth, in His sinless life, in His Miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His eventual return in power and glory. (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23; Luke 1:35; Hebrews 4:15, 7:25, 9:12; John 2:11, 11:25; Colossians 1:13-14; Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-16)4. We believe that man is sinful by nature and that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We believe that God commands repentance for the forgiveness of sin, and that salvation can only be obtained by grace through faith in Jesus Chris. (Romans 3:19, 22-24, 5:11, 10:9; John 3:16-19, 5:25; Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5, 6)
There is so much more, but these are examples of some of the things for which we cannot compromise. Unfortunately, I have seen churches split of the color of the carpet in the sanctuary! We have to be so careful not to get these things confused. We are NOT to have disputes over opinions, preferences, or differences, but we are to stand in unity over the things that are clearly spelled out in Scripture.
For more study on this topic, I recommend reading and rereading Romans 14 in several translations. Really seek to understand the heart of God concerning our acceptance of others. Let us welcome each other with open arms just as Christ has accepted us!
Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. Romans 15:7 NLTBut God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV
As I wrap this up, I want you to think back to those insecure years of adolescence when fitting in was our biggest priority and feeling left out was devastating. Each one of us has had a time in our lives when we felt rejected, and we know the sting of it. Even as adults, we have not outgrown the need for love and acceptance. Now, look around and understand that every other human being has that same need.
We are the hands and feet of Jesus, and we have an incredible opportunity and privilege of extending the love of Christ to others. Rather than judging, arguing, condemning, pointing out differences, or insisting on our own opinions, let us accept, love, treat people with dignity and respect, show kindness, and warmly embrace all of our brothers and sisters no matter how different they are. That is the love of Jesus!
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| What a great example of accepting differences! (from Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer) |
I will close with this final example. No group of people have known the agony of rejection more than the lepers during Bible times. Not only did they exist outside of civilization, but if they ever came near to any other people, they had to shout “Unclean!” Yet, when the Master approached, not only did He not reject them, point his fingers at them, shun them, or talk badly about them, but He TOUCHED them. (Matthew 8:2-3). Jesus is not afraid to touch, accept, and love those who are different. Let us have that kind of love!
This is the truth I try to live by:
In essentials: UNITY
In opinions: LIBERTY
In all things: LOVE!
Week Two Challenge: Choose one new idea from each of the five senses to enhance the atmosphere of your home.
Today’s Challenge: Go to someone who is very different than you, look them directly in the eye, smile, and give them a warm and cheerful greeting.
Tomorrow starts a new week, “The Glamorous Side of Homemaking.” We will learn tips and be inspired to organize, clean, and find joy in the mundane. See you then!
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Thank you and God bless!
Shari Lewis
