Acceptance

The ABC of Discipleship highlights the importance of acceptance, belonging and commitment in growing disciples. More and more Christian leaders and teachers are realising that coming to faith in Jesus Christ can be in many cases a process rather than an instant experience. Often people make their first attempt at reconnecting with their faith through a conversation with a friend who they feel understands and accepts them long before attending a local church or fellowship of Christians. Research has shown that when people return to church if they feel accepted they will continue to attend. During the month of September we’re going to explore what it means to become a community of believers who are open and welcoming to those who come seeking to know or discover the reality of God. Using the Bible we’re going to explore a number of key passages that will help us understand how Jesus was able to connect with people and draw from them their deepest longings and desires. The Old Testament which is part of the Jewish scriptures encourages communities to welcome the stranger and to accept those who may be different from the norm. No doubt this teaching influenced the way Jesus thought and taught about the Kingdom of God. He challenged the religious people of his day to be less judgemental. Indeed he said, “Judge not, less you be judged yourself”. In other words he invited his listeners to live out the gospel and by doing so others would come to understand the joy of living life God’s way. He was also able to offer the outcast and the forgotten hope and meaning in the midst of their search for security and peace in life. In our reflections we will also see how the first Christians discovered the importance of accepting people who seemed to them beyond the reach of the gospel. At the end of September it is my prayer we will begin to understand that acceptance is the first step to understand grace and what it means to live a life of holiness and total trust in God.