Acceptance in diversity

Romans 14:1-3 (NLT)
1 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.

In these verses the apostle gives his thoughts towards the differences of people. There are people who have different levels of faith. There are people who believe one thing is wrong while another believes something is right. The apostle gives an example that because of different beliefs some eat only vegetables, while others eat anything. Whatever the difference, as believers in Christ, we should not condemn another for doing what they believe is right. God has accepted them as they are and it is God who will motivate all men’s hearts in the right direction.

Paul said, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Paul was looking at a diverse group of people who had come together to form the church after Pentecost. The church had removed barriers of gender, race, and social class. Author Philip Yancey quoted a pastor in India, where they have a strong caste system: "Most of what happens in Christian churches, including even the miracles, can be duplicated in Hindu and Muslim congregations. But in my area only Christians strive, however ineptly, to mix men and women of different castes, races, and social groups. That's the real miracle." Christians for the most part graciously accept one another for who they are. Each person has a special ministry they can perform and it often takes variety of talents to accomplish the work of Christ. If God can accept us then we also need to learn to accept each other so that together we can serve the cause of Christ.