just like Jesus did

Today in the One Year Bible, we read from Romans 15:1-22. Paul tells them and us to accept one another like Jesus accepted us. And that brings up an interesting point.

Jesus is recorded as forgiving people their sins before they even ask. He invites Himself over to the home of notorious sinners while they are still sinners. He shares the truth of Who He is for the first time with a woman living in adultery.

Does that mean we should just accept people like they are and not want them to turn away from their sins? No, it doesn't mean that. But it DOES mean that we should love people while they're still sinners. We should reach out to them and overwhelm them with our love, like Jesus did. We should love them SO MUCH that they respond to that love by throwing aside their sins like an old, moldy, wet blanket so they can run this race by our side.

Let's love people like Jesus did.

God, thanks for loving us so much while we were still sinners. Help us do the same.