Accept One Another

According to LifeWay Research, when asked about their most significant struggle this past year, pastors pointed to the disunity in their congregation caused by COVID and the various protocols put in place. Many factors no doubt play a role in this problem, but one statistic may underscore a significant contributor to division: “On any given day, evangelical Christians are twice as likely to open Facebook as their Bible.”

• 66% use Facebook at least once a day

• 49% are on Facebook several times a day

• Almost 40% watch a YouTube video at least once a day

• Only 32% of evangelicals say they read the Bible every day

Many Christians are being shaped more by social media than by Scripture. Social media has not made us more social; it has made us more anti-social, angrier and more divided.

I came across this example of “How Social Media Works.”

ME: “I prefer mangoes to oranges.”

RANDOM PERSON: “So basically, what you’re saying is you hate oranges? You also failed to mention pineapples, bananas, and grapefruit. Educate yourself. I’m literally shaking.”

As we’ve been learning in our “One Another” series, we’re called to care for and be united with one another. Last weekend, we established this truth: Jesus is praying for us to be a community of unity. It’s so easy for us to divide, isn’t it?

I’m reminded of the story of a man stranded on an isolated island. He was alone on this island for many years, so he made himself a hut. Eventually, the island was discovered, and the man was rescued. Before they left, the man decided to give a tour of his island.

He showed the people his hut, proudly saying, “This is the home I built.” Then he showed them another building and said, “This is the church I built.” As they continued to walk, one of the people noticed another building and inquired of the man, “Hey, what’s that building over there?” The man answered, “Oh, that’s where I used to go to church.”

Today, our focus in on accepting one another from Romans 14-15. Here’s what I’m hoping we’ll learn: “Since we are accepted by Christ, we must accept one another.”

Chapters 12-16 contain the practical part of Romans where Paul speaks more about the matter of accepting one another than any other topic. If we separate from those who differ from us on minor matters, we will soon be left all alone.

Paul is introducing us to two distinct groups of people in the church at Rome: the weak and the strong, or as one pastor refers to them, the “weak” and the “weaker.”

These believers were divided over special diets and special days. The big problem was whether it was OK for a Christ follower to eat meat which had been offered to an idol before it was sent to Bob the Butcher. Some had no issue with it at all, while others felt by eating meat a person could become spiritually contaminated. This group followed a special diet and felt some days were more spiritual than others. The second group had just one big hang up: group #1. They knew they were free to eat Beef Wellington and worship on any day they wanted.

Most of us struggle with two tendencies: we like to compare, and we long to control others. We can easily fall into thinking the way we view life or the way we do things is correct, and therefore those who differ from us must be wrong. It’s so easy for us to elevate our personal preferences to moral matters by which we judge others.

Chuck Swindoll tells the true story of a missionary family who was forced to leave the mission field because of peanut butter. This young family served where peanut butter was difficult to get, so they arranged to have friends in the U.S. send them some.

What they didn’t realize was the other missionaries considered it a mark of spirituality for a missionary to not have peanut butter because they couldn’t get it there. Their strong belief was for every missionary to give up peanut butter.

The newer missionary family considered this a simple difference of opinion, so they continued to receive peanut butter shipments. Unfortunately, the pressure to conform was so intense, the family finally gave up, packed their things, and left the mission field, disillusioned and cynical.

If the older missionaries would have studied Romans 14-15, they might have been able to keep this young family on the field.

Avenues to Acceptance

There are at least six avenues to acceptance found in these two chapters. They spell out the word A.C.C.E.P.T.

1. Avoid passing judgment (1-4). Those who clung to the Law condemned those who enjoyed their liberty, while the more mature Christians despised the immature ones. Paul tells both groups to chill out and not be chilly toward each other: “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.”