Take Someone In

Romans 14-15

I had the opportunity to preach at a small congregation just about in the middle of nowhere. There was a college right across the street from the congregation, but at the height of Covid, it was practically a “ghost campus. One individual came up to me and introduced himself. I learned that he was attending school across the street.

I could tell from his accent that he was not from there. I asked him what brought him to a small town like this? He told me that he was from a place in Africa. Apparently, when he came overseas to go to school, a family from the church had received him into their home to eat a meal. Although he was a long way from home, he felt loved. They ended up helping him in many ways, and even provided for him a place to live when his living arrangements fell through. He obeyed the gospel and was a faithful Christian once he learned the gospel. The current town he was in was not the place he was converted. He was not spiritually loyal to the family that took him in, or even the congregation where he was converted; he was loyal to Jesus. That meant that he was going to find the church wherever he was and meet with them to worship at every opportunity. This is exactly what he did. He did so with much joy, I might add.

His story impressed me so much. Because of the love that this young man experienced from the church, he was attracted to Jesus. When he learned how Jesus wanted him to live, he obeyed, no matter where he lived. In my opinion, this is one of the best examples of conversion there is.

Romans 14-15 is applied to many different instances, some of which are controversial in the brotherhood. The first word, however, which is often overlooked, is the word “Receive”. This means to take them in. There are many that attend church who do not feel like they belong or are even wanted. How can we do a better job at making people feel “received”?

Christians are going to all be in different places in their spiritual walk, and it is so tempting to feel critical of someone who is in a different place spiritually than you. The fact of the matter is that everyone is working toward being strong in the faith. Strong Christians need to “take in” the weak, and the weak Christians need to work toward being stronger every day. We all have weaknesses.

Taking someone in is potentially life changing. We all are going to stand before Christ on the last day. He is our judge. What we need while we are alive is to not allow ourselves to be so critical about non-faith related issues that we miss opportunities to help people who are struggling to grow. The reason we take others in, is because Christ took us in (15:7). This is how the weak in the faith can become strong and how all can ultimately glorify God. Everyone needs to feel “received” into the congregation. This is love in its purest form.

Take someone in. It could change their life.