by Sandra Allen Lovelace @SandraALovelace #WallflowerWomen
If you knew about the betrayal, would you have entered the relationship?
If you’d heard about the highway backup, would you have chosen that route?
If you had any idea the return process was a bear, would you have tried the product?
We don’t always know what lies ahead, but God does. He’s aware of every detail before it unfolds.
I [God] make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come (Isaiah 46:10).*
Knowing our basic frailty and every point of failure in our lives—not only among ourselves but in our relationship with Him, not only the ones we know but the ones we have yet to discover—He still chooses to love and rescue.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
Paul describes the appropriate response.
Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God (Romans 15:7). [emphasis mine]
That doesn’t mean we receive everything other people say and do as reasonable and acceptable. That’s not the example Jesus set. He spoke the truth even when it wasn’t well-received.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ (Ephesians 4:15).
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body (Ephesians 4:23).
The Sacrificial Lamb of God set and maintained boundaries. He walked away when He needed to, and told His disciples to do the same.
Again they tried to seize him, but he [Jesus] escaped their grasp (John 10:39). [emphasis mine] If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town (Matthew 10:14).
Paul’s exhortation is clear: set aside preferences and disagreements when feasible for the sake of unity within the bonds of faith.
If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18).
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace (Ephesians 4:3).
We can only reach this balance as God empowers us.
Let us turn to the One Who
created us aware of our frailties,
called us in spite of our upcoming failures,
cherishes His own in every circumstance, and
celebrates us with delight that will continue throughout eternity. Amen.
Fully known and faithfully loved.
How would receiving God’s acceptance affect your life?
Awash with Gratitude,
Sandra
*NIV1984, unless otherwise noted