An Offering of Acceptance

I have become all things to all people,
that I might by all means save some.
(I Corinthians 9:22b)

Good Morning,

We took pictures of Tim and his friends this past weekend for a school banquet. They have been friends since they were young children. Each of the teenagers are unique, expressing themselves in completely different ways. They offer genuine compassion, care, and acceptance to one another.

The Apostle Paul expressed his genuine acceptance of anyone and everyone in his writings (I Corinthians 9:22b):

I have become all things to all people: Before the Apostle Paul invited Christ to abide in his life, he desired approval from some people and refused to accept all people. The Apostle Paul found approval from many of his peers through his performance and prejudice. He expressed his prejudice against Christians by killing them.

The presence of Christ abiding in the Apostle Paul’s heart, mind, and soul exchanged the need for approval and the feelings of prejudice for complete compassion and acceptance of all people.

Refuse to allow the need for approval or any prejudice to be within your thoughts, words, and actions. Offer acceptance and compassion to people.

That I might by all means save some: The presence of Christ within the Apostle Paul transformed the way he related to people. In turn, his response of love and acceptance was appealing and contagious, which produced the desire in others to receive the presence and power of Jesus Christ.

Evaluate how others see you. Do others see the abiding presence of Christ within you?

Determine to reveal the presence of Christ.
Reveal Christ through compassion and care.
Offer acceptance to all people that they may know Christ.

Learning with you to never cease to offer acceptance,
Kerrie

(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)