Radiate: 14 Devotions to Reflect the Heart of JesusSample

Radical Acceptance

Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. ROMANS 15:7 ESV

Remember the story from Scripture about the woman who was bleeding for twelve years and touched the robe of Jesus? The story is recorded in the Gospel of Mark, and when we actually step back to imagine this story taking place in real-time, it’s awe-inspiring.

A woman who was deeply familiar with suffering but had great faith, she believed that if she could touch the hem of Jesus’ robe, that alone would have the power to completely restore her health. And it did! What must Jesus have radiated to exude that kind of power? How would a woman who had been rejected by so many around her feel comfortable enough to do such a thing? It is because our King Jesus never walked a step without humility. He radiated absolute acceptance regardless of socioeconomic status, physical appearance, workplace performance, or cultural background. There were no pre-qualifications for His love. In fact, He was drawn to the lost, the hurting, the rejected, and the sinner. That’s why He came. He sat with the tax collectors, healed the blind, restored the purity of prostitutes, and welcomed the forgotten. This kind of reputation builds a foundation for true unity—all may come.

If we are desiring to radiate the same acceptance as our Savior, we will never achieve it by staying in our comfort zones or surrounding ourselves with those who are similar to us. Familiarity is a dangerous covering when it becomes our reason for not extending a hand or lending ourselves to another.

What would it look like to radiate acceptance in our lives? It’s as simple as choosing a different way to congregate at the pool, changing our conversations with friends, inviting another to lunch, or reframing our mental dialogue to accept rather than judge. If the King of perfection determined His standards were all-inclusive, shouldn’t we?

This does not mean we don’t establish boundaries. Our acceptance of another does not automatically condone their lifestyle or choices. However, if we choose to reject others rather than love them, our impact becomes impossible because our proximity is nonexistent. We cannot give light and love to those we exclude.

May we do our own heart check and ask Him: “Can You reveal to me any way I’ve made my love seem exclusive to others? Open my eyes and my heart—I want to accept and love like You do.”

Hey Jesus, thank You for Your unending grace and kindness that accepts me just as I am. Help me to give this kind of radical acceptance to others, offering them a safe place to land and a secure friend. Show me how to have a long table and an open door to all. In Jesus’ name, amen.