"Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God" (Romans 15:7)

Christ has established you not on the basis of your family heritage, financial status, the color of your skin or any other factor. In fact He looks at you in a totally different way than we might look at ourselves or others around us. He has accepted us because of His great love and desire to bring Glory to God. There is no better truth than this, we are loved and accepted by God because Christ made us worthy by paying the ultimate price for us.

When we put our trust in Jesus as our savior then we became children of God and co-heirs with Christ ( Romans 8:17 ). We now belong to the promise spoke to Abraham; as such we are included as His chosen people on earth. "You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise" ( Galatians 3:26-29 ). What a marvelous thing to be included in. We are not our own, nor will we wander this earth without a purpose or direction. We have been included in Christ Jesus' family and since we bear His name we have an incredible heritage reaching far back to the patriarchs, prophets and kings.

Paul said something similar in his letter to Colossae, "Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" ( Colossians 3:10-14 ). As the body of Christ we are to treat each other just as Christ has treated us. We are to clothe ourselves with His virtues and treat one another with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. All of this can be accomplished by deciding to love each other and letting Christ's love flow through us. Love is the bond that brings about this unity and oneness.

So then, just as Christ has accepted us into His family we are to welcome and receive one another. Paul reminded us in the previous passage of Romans 15 that when we operate in unity as the body of Christ we have one heart and one mouth to praise God ( Romans 15:6 ). This is a powerful medium for the Spirit of God to work among us bringing glory to the Father. This can only happen if we put aside our differences and live together in oneness with Christ as the center. When we remind ourselves of what Jesus did for us, then any differences that we might encounter among other believers is petty. We should strive for unity because we were called into one body and one fellowship. We belong to Christ.

Today, I pray that this passage has quickened your heart to strive for unity with your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. If there are any differences or unforgiveness that needs to happen to restore fellowship, I pray that Christ gives you the grace and humility to do it. This attitude and desire for oneness brings glory to God. May you accept each other today, remembering that Christ has also accepted you, amen!

"May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 15:5-6)

As believers we are called into one body, the body of Christ Jesus. We are to strive for unity among ourselves in all things. Unity is the state of being one or single of minded. We are to be likeminded with Christ and renew our minds to the endurance and encouragement the scripture offers us. We should make an effort to dwell in the spirit of unity between believers; there should be no divisions or arguments among us. We should live in mutual harmony out of love for each other in accordance with Christ Jesus.

Paul wrote to the Church at Ephesus, "As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit-just as you were called to one hope when you were called" ( Ephesians 4:1-4 ). It takes effort to get a long and be in agreement with other brothers and sisters in Christ. It is definitely a lesson in love. It takes humility, patience and endurance but we are to be eager to guard and keep this harmony and oneness into which we were called. Unity is produced by the spirit of God and it has the power to bind us together in peace.  We were called to one hope and as such we have more in common with each other than not, so we should recognize this and strive to live in mutuality in Christ Jesus.

David said in the Psalms, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" ( Psalm 133:1 ). This is because there is power in the unified body of Christ Jesus. When we are in singleness of mind then we are a force to be reckoned with. The opposite is also true, if there are fights and quarreling among us then we keep ourselves out of service to the real battles in life.

Look at what happened on the day of Pentecost. The Bible says that the disciples were all together in one accord, and suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came down from heaven and filled the house where they were staying. The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other tongues. The sound drew a large crowd from the town and they heard the disciples speaking to them, each in their own language. The crowd marveled as Peter addressed them with the good news of Christ. Three thousand people were added to their numbers that day (Acts 2). All of this happened because they were together in one accord or in unity among themselves and the power of God was present and able to work among them.

Consider what continued to happen as a result of that day, "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved" ( Acts 2:42-47 ). They continued in unity and oneness and many wonderful things happened among them and the kingdom grew as a result.

When we are in singleness of mind then the power of God is able to work among us. Paul said in today's passage that we bring glory and praise to God our Father in this way. Out of one heart and one mouth we will glorify Him. Today, I pray that you make every effort to live in unity with other believers. May the spirit of God grant you the love and patience required to live in singleness of mind so that the power of God will be evident in your lives and through it bring glory to God.