We’re accepted by Christ!  He doesn’t simply tolerate or put up with us imperfect, limited creatures.  We’re ACCEPTED – totally!  The great Protestant theologian, Paul Tillich, said “Faith is the acceptance of being accepted.”  What does this mean for me, do for me?

In Rom 15:7 St Paul says: “Accept one another as Christ has accepted you – for the glory of God.”  The early Christian community was filled with people who had been enemies/strangers to each other: Gentiles, Jews, rich, poor, free people and slaves.  All are now equal members of the one Body of Christ.  “Accept one another as Christ has accepted you.”  Does the word “ACCEPT” get to the heart of what Jesus means when he tells us to love, even our enemies?  Whom do I find hard to accept?

Most often we think and sing about love with romantic overtones: love is something we feel – for some people.  This CAN’T be the kind of love Jesus means when he says, “Love your enemies.”  I’ll never have warm, fuzzy feelings toward enemies!  So what does he mean when he uses the word ”love” here?  What is he calling us to do – not just toward enemies but toward everyone?