Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God. Romans 15:7
Some people with very unsavoury backgrounds love this verse, because they can use it to get themselves into companies where they have no right to be. They insist that everybody has to welcome them regardless of what they are like. And they get away with it because far too many people simply don’t know the Scriptures. We know better, of course. But when we look at this verse, we can get a glimpse of the marvellous grace of God. We have been royally received despite having nothing about ourselves worthy of being received. Shame on uas if we don’t show that same grace to others.
The man known as the prince of preachers, C.H. Spurgeon, has left us some lovely thoughts on this verse: ‘If the Lord Jesus has indeed received us, and bears with our weaknesses and follies, well may we have patience with one another, and show pity to each other’s infirmities. Christ did not receive us because we were perfect, because He could see no fault in us, or because He hoped to gain somewhat at our hands. Ah, no! but, in loving condescension covering our faults, and seeking our good, He welcomed us to His heart; so, in the same way, and with the same purpose, let us receive one another.’
Thank you, Brother Spurgeon. Believers are to receive one another even as Christ has received us. No person is too prejudicial or critical, too weak or base for us to receive. The point is that Christ received and ministered to the most prejudicial and judgmental (the Jews), the most sinful and base (the Gentiles) people in the world; therefore, believers can receive one another. ‘There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus’ – Galatians 3:28. No one is too far gone to be rejected and cast away.
When the Lord Jesus received us, our text tells us, He brought glory to God. When we receive each other, we do the same. – Jim MacIntosh