God’s Hostel

Romans 15:7 – “Therefore receive one another just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.”

During these times of lockdown, many people were unable to return to their home country because borders were closed and had to stay where they were until the journey back home becomes possible again.

A certain household during this time, held an interesting combination of beliefs: a Christian, a Muslim and a Hindu. A trying time for all, especially for the one who knows the true God. In today’s verse, we are instructed to receive one another, to accept, to welcome, and if necessary, to suffer. Paul wrote “Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions.” (Romans 14:1).

Once we too were blind. The Gentiles. Then we were grafted into God’s family because the truth of the Gospel of Jesus penetrated into our hearts. And the Gospel “is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16).

Let’s be sensitive and careful about the power of God which is at work in us who believe, because we are being observed.  Let’s be careful to receive with the same love that Christ received us, so that those who are weak, who do not know or accept, who do not yet believe, are attracted by our actions, by our love, by our behavior.

It is by our attitude that Christ can be revealed to those who do not know Him.

Let’s use this lockdown time to shine the light of Jesus, stronger and brighter, because, where there is so much darkness, even the dim light of a small match, can make a tremendous difference. And where the light of Jesus shines, darkness has to flee!