A Journey Through Romans

Romans 15:7-13 Therefore welcome one another, just as Christ also welcomed us, for the glory of God.  Now I say that Jesus Christ has become a servant to the circumcised on behalf of the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the patriarchs,  and that the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:

“For this reason I will acknowledge You among the Gentiles, and I will sing praises to Your name.”

He also says: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with His people!” And again: “Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples praise Him.”

And again Isaiah says: “There shall be a root of Jesse; He who shall rise to reign over the Gentiles, in Him shall the Gentiles hope.”

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

My thought for today is simple to draw your attention tor Rev’d Fred Kaan’s hymn “Help us accept each other”. Kaan explains the origins of the hymn, “Help us accept each other”: “This text was set in motion upon reading a Bible study article on Romans 15. He recalls that It was almost accidentally and at the last moment included in the fourth edition of Cantate Domino [an ecumenical and cross-cultural hymnal published by the World Council of Churches in 1974], … and it so happened that my “Hymn of acceptance” was just the right length to fill the two blank pages that needed filling.”

The words became more widely sung when they were set to music by American composer John Ness Beck (1930-1987) as an anthem. Beck’s anthem setting was then adapted as a hymn tune ACCEPTANCE.

This is one of the most powerful hymns on reconciliation and forgiveness composed in the last half of the 20th century. Romans 15:7 provides a scriptural basis for verse 1: “Receive one another, then, just as Christ also received you, to God’s glory.” The hymn also reflects Ephesians 4:15: “But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head.”

Verse two asks for grace to accept all people unconditionally: now that’s a big but essential ask isn’t it?

Help us accept each other
as Christ accepted us
teach us as sister, brother
each person to embrace.
Be present God, among us
and bring us to believe
we are ourselves accepted
and meant to love and live.

Teach us, O God, your lessons,
as in our daily life
we struggle to be human
and search for hope and faith.
Teach us to care for people,
for all not just for some.
to love them as we find them
or as they may become.

Let your acceptance change us,
so that we may be moved
in living situations
to do the truth in love;
to practice your acceptance
until we know by heart
the table of forgiveness
and laughter’s healing art.

God, for today’s encounters
with all who are in need;
who hunger for acceptance
for righteousness and bread.
we need new eyes for seeing,
new hands for holding on
renew us with your Spirit;
and free us, make us one!