Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Romans 15:5-13

This week we’re thinking about God’s invitation to repent towards Jesus by filling our minds and hearts with truth about Him.

Throughout the New Testament letters, a very common issue the apostles addressed was the relationship between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. Their historic religious and cultural divides were so deep that it was very hard for them to fathom that they were now called to live together in harmony as members of one Family.

Here in Romans 15, the apostle Paul returns to the issue again. He prays that the Christians’ minds would be focused on the way Jesus had so unconditionally and lovingly accepted them. To put it another way, we might say that he prays that they would “repent towards” Jesus’ loving acceptance. And then, with the eyes of their heart fixed on Jesus, he prays that God would give them grace to offer each other the same loving acceptance.

He insists that this attitude will enable them to bring praise and glory to God “with one mind and one voice” (v.6) and that such harmony has always been God’s plan. To prove his point, in verses 9-12 he quotes from 2 Samuel 22:50, Psalm 18:49, Deuteronomy 32:43, Psalm 117:1 and Isaiah 11:10. All of these are examples of Old Testament declarations that the Gentiles will one day be brought to praise the LORD alongside the Jews. So their acceptance of one another was not morally neutral. It was a matter of pleasing the Lord, and was essential if they were to properly “glorify God for His mercy” (v.9).

As you ponder this call today, consider whether there is a fellow believer in your life and/or local church whom you battle to accept in love. Take time to reflect carefully on the loving acceptance Jesus has extended to you and to them, and then ask the Lord to give you the grace to treat them as He has treated you.

Lord Jesus, please show me the wonders of your loving acceptance, and help me to grasp my opportunities to imitate it in my behaviour towards my fellow believers today. Amen.