Have you ever wished that someone would look behind the smile, the makeup, and the clothes, to see who you really are - and accept you just as you are? We all long for that, and in this message Chip shares how Jesus taught us to love one another.

Main Points

To love each other the way Jesus loved His disciples means we must accept one another, just as Christ accepted us, in order to bring glory to God!

Dr. Larry Crabb – Connecting, page 66: “Connecting is a kind of relating that happens when the powerful life of Christ in one person meets the good life of Christ in another. What every Christian can pour into another is the powerful passion of acceptance, a passion that flows out of the center of the gospel, a passion that fills the heart of God.”

What does it mean to “accept one another?”

Meaning of the word “Accept.”
Meaning from the context. --Romans 15:1-6
Meaning from the New Testament.
Meaning from the text. --Romans 15:7

What keeps us from “accepting one another?”

Legalism: Judging others’ faith by extra-Biblical standards. --Romans 14
Favoritism: Judging other by external appearance or possessions. --2 Corinthians 5:16; James 2:1-5
Pre-judging: Judging others based on preconceived notions about them. --Luke 6:37
Mind-reading: Judging others in areas that are impossible for us to assess. --1 Corinthians 4:1-5

Does “acceptance” mean we are never to judge? NO! – We are commanded to judge…

… interpersonal conflict in the church. --1 Corinthians 6:2-5
… immoral behavior in the church. --1 Corinthians 5:1-6;1 Timothy 5:20
… those who sin against us. --Matthew 18:15-17
… when placed in positions of spiritual responsibility. --2 Timothy 4:1-3
… to maintain doctrinal purity. --2 Timothy 4:15
… when church unity is threatened. --Titus 1:10; 1 Timothy 5:20

How can we grow in “accepting one another?”

Remember what is at stake!
Refuse to compare!
Renew your view of others!

DESIRE CARD: “I would like to view others in light of their eternity and need, instead of by their outward appearance, possessions, status, or abilities.”

Memorize: 2 Corinthians 5:16

Broadcast Resource

Additional Resource Mentions

Free Your Divine Design Book

About Chip Ingram

Chip Ingram’s passion is helping Christians really live like Christians. As a pastor, author, and teacher for more than three decades, Chip has helped believers around the world move from spiritual spectators to healthy, authentic disciples of Jesus by living out God’s truth in their lives and relationships in transformational ways.

About Living on the Edge

Living on the Edge exists to help Christians live like Christians. Established in 1995 as the radio ministry of pastor and author Chip Ingram, God has since grown it into a global discipleship ministry. Living on the Edge provides Biblical teaching and discipleship resources that challenge and equip spiritually hungry Christians all over the world to become mature disciples of Jesus.

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