Week 8: Accepting Each Other as Christ Accepts Us

This week's Scripture reading unfolds like this:

Sunday: Romans 15-16
Monday: Genesis 28-31
Tuesday: Judges 12-16
Wednesday Psalms 21-23
Thursday: Job 15-16
Friday: Isaiah 40-44
Saturday: Matthew 20-22

Scripture
This week's readings bring us back to one theme repeatedly: the challenges associated with relating to other human beings.

In Genesis we read of the difficulties that Jacob had relating to his father-in-law, Laban. In Judges we see how much trouble Samson had in dealing with the Philistines (and the Philistines with Samson!). In Psalm 22 we see a poignant messianic prophecy in which Jesus is hanging on the cross, listening to those who are mocking him: "Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying, 'Is this the one who relies on the LORD? Then let the LORD save him! If the LORD loves him so much, let the LORD rescue him!'"

After getting more lame advice from his friends, Job exclaims, "What miserable comforters you are! Won’t you ever stop blowing hot air? What makes you keep on talking?" (Job 16:2). And Jesus, in Matthew 20, talks about the jealousy a group of day-laborers felt when they saw the foreman pay the same amount to others who worked only an hour.

The key to these relational challenges is found in Romans 15 where the Apostle Paul says this:

"We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself....

"May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." (vv. 1-3, 5-6)

Observation
It's easy to theorize and theologize about seeking to please others over ourselves. It's another thing entirely to live it out! This week's Scripture readings recount several concrete situations in which the difficulties associated with getting along with each other present themselves.

Application
As you engage in this week's readings, prayerfully consider the ways in which the various scenarios in the Bible are playing themselves out in your life. Try to identify by name the people who are currently presenting the greatest "relational challenges." Narrow your thinking to one person with whom you will seek to sweeten your relationship by "helping them do what is right and building them up in the Lord" (Rom. 15:2).

Prayer
O Lord, we want to do your will in getting along with everyone in our lives. And we confess that sometimes we simply do not have the wisdom to know how best to handle some of these relationships. You also know that in some cases, we've tried to make things right...but the person won't reciprocate. Please give us the wisdom to discern the difference between "reconcilable" and "irreconcilable" relationships...and, by your grace, help us accept one another the way Christ accepts us. We pray in his name. Amen.

Have a great week!

Faithfully,
Chuck