Welcoming the Unwelcomed

GREEK WORD WITH ENGLISH TRANSLITERATION: προσλαμβάνω  (proslambano)

PRONUNCIATION: pros-lam-BAN-oh

STRONG’S CONCORDANCE #: 4355 (from 4314 and 2983)

MEANING: from two words meaning literally "to take toward another"; "to welcome"

BACKGROUND OF WORD (ETYMOLOGY): this word was used to describe how one would draw others into their circle of influence

HOW TRANSLATED IN KJV AND/OR ESV:  take; receive

# OF TIMES USED IN THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT: 15

VERSES IN THE BIBLE WHERE GREEK WORD USED:

   

Romans 14:1-3 – “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome (προσλαμβάνω) him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed (προσλαμβάνω) him.”

Romans 15:7 -  "Therefore welcome (προσλαμβάνω) one another, as Christ has welcomed (προσλαμβάνω) you, for the glory of God."

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

When we talk about “receiving” people into our midst, I think often times we have the idea of doing so out of simple responsibility.  While in part that might be true, there really needs to be a genuineness associated with that.  We need to make people feel “welcomed”.  That is the meaning of our word for the day… προσλαμβάνω (proslambano).  In both Romans 14:1-3 and Romans 15:7, Paul issues strong challenges to the church at Rome on how to treat others.  Let’s first draw our attention to Romans 14:1-3 where first Paul says, “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome (προσλαμβάνω) him”.  Paul is obviously talking to believers, but he is referring to those who might not be as strong as we are spiritually. Then Paul goes further in Romans 15:7 and basically tells us that we need to welcome (προσλαμβάνω) others just as Christ has welcomed (προσλαμβάνω) us. 

   

When we reject someone, if we look closely, we may find that we are repeating the same rejection that we ourselves have received. The same is true of those who have learned to be accepting of others. Typically, we give what has been given to us. However, your past rejection need not determine your future. You can grow in your ability to become more and more accepting—even when you yourself have been rejected.

In my years of counseling ministry I have learned that there are basically three levels of acceptance.     

#1        Zero Acceptance - "No matter what I do, I'll never be accepted." —The person who totally rejects you harbors deep hurt and bitterness and extends no grace and mercy. But the Bible says in Ephesians 4:31-32 – “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

#2        Performance-based Acceptance - "I feel accepted only when I perform perfectly." —The person who only accepts you based on how you act demands, "You must meet my requirements," and rarely offers grace and mercy. But the Bible says in James 2:13: “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

#3        Unconditional Acceptance - "No matter what I do, even when I fail, I always feel accepted." —The person who accepts you especially when you fail—lives with a heart of grace and mercy . . . and reflects the heart of God. The Bible says in Zechariah 7:9 - "Thus says the Lord  of hosts, ‘Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another.’”

CHALLENGE FOR THE DAY:

May we show the love of Christ and His unconditional AGAPE love in welcoming others as He has welcomed us.  Who do you know today that needs to know you welcome them?  Seek that person out today and find a way to show your unconditional acceptance of them. 

PRAYER OF THE DAY:

Father, so often I have failed you in how I have treated others.  So often I have received your unconditional agape love and yet failed to demonstrate it towards others.  Forgive me for not receiving others as you have received me.  Cause me to be more loving and receiving of others.  In Jesus’ name I pray.   Amen.