ACCEPT ONE ANOTHER One Another – Part 3 1/21/2024 REVIEW Intro Week Its not about YOU “I have been crucified with Christ and its no longer I who live.” Gal. 2:20 You (singular) σύ. σοῦ, σου, σοί, σοι, σέ, σε - su/sou 1000 uses You (plural) ὑμᾶς ὑμῖν, ὑμῶν, ὑμεῖς - humeis/humas 2200 uses It is about YOU (Y’all) “This is my commandment that you love ONE ANOTHER as I have loved you.” John 15:12 One Another - ἀλλήλους (allelon) one another, each other, mutually reciprocally Over 100 uses Key Truths from Scripture: 1) Its not all about you - Its about giving God glory 2) You belong to a “we, us, one-another”, that will not change Week 1 Devoted Love to One Another "[Be] devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.” Romans 12:10NAS Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10ESV Devoted: φιλόστοργος, (philóstorgos) “devoted love, shown by family-members" is that special affection shared between members of God's family – people born-again (divinely adopted) and serving the same (heavenly) Father! Honor τιμή (timé) value; worth (literally, "price") especially as perceived honor – i.e. what has value in the eyes of the beholder; (figuratively) the value (weight, honor) willingly assigned to something. Key Truths from Scripture: 1) Devotion is inseparable from LOVE 2) Honor is willingly assign VALUE and God sets the VALUE not me 3) Devoted Love is a choice based on obedience not feelings Accept One Another We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:1–7(ESV) Accept/Receive: προσλαμβάνω (proslambanó) to receive, grant one access to one's heart; to take into ones intimate life, i. e. family. To welcome into God’s family as brother or sister. Acceptance is positional not behavioral choice (Titus 3:5) To treat and to love as family with all the rights and privileges due a family member as God lays out for His family. Acceptance is about obedience not feelings (John 14:15) Barriers to Accepting/Receiving Attitude/Bias Conscious “I just don’t get along with that type” “I’m just the way I am and that won’t change” “You don’t know what they have done” “He/she just makes me feel . . .” “People are awful” Attitude/Bias Unconscious I don't want to face my own inadequacies so push others away I don't want to possibility be hurt or rejected I don't want to have my comfort challenged Being unable to accept/receive someone as a brother/sister in Christ is not about what they may or may not have done it is 100% about you. Thats' a you (singular) problem! Steps to Accepting in obedience Accepting is recognizing God is sovereign Accepting is recognizing God saved you and them Accepting is agreeing with the value God assigns everyone Accepting is treating the individual positionally not behaviorally Acceptance is an act of love that reveals your heart (1 John 4:1-21) Ultimately all I do is for God, through God, and because of God. It logically follows then that to accept members of His family is not only about the person, it is also about who I choose to be in His family and how I choose to live out my love for Him. Thoughts/Questions: How is God calling me to grow in acceptance of one another? If it is positional not behavioral how does that impact your ability to accept?