One of Rock Bridge’s core values is Christ-like acceptance. It seems that some confuse this ‘unconditional acceptance’ with ‘unconditional approval’. This leads me to ask and answer an important question: Is Christ-Like acceptance the same as unconditional approval?
To find the answer I examined a story I've discussed in this blog before, Jesus' encounter with 'the woman at the well'. Here's a quick look:
• Jesus met the woman at a well
• She was not asked to dress, act or speak a certain way to encounter Him
• She in fact, had no role at all in encountering Jesus, He went to her, exactly as she was
• He spoke truth to her about her less than perfect lifestyle
• Because of her encounter with Him and the truth He spoke, her life was changed
• Because of her changed life, other lives were changed too
• There was no building involved in any of this
So the answer is no. Christ-Like acceptance is not the same as ‘unconditional approval’. Jesus accepts us where we are and speaks truth that can change our lives, that can lead us to the abundant life He promises in John 10:10. What we offer at Rock Bridge is what Jesus modeled; Christ-like acceptance that leads us to be able to share truth.
Rock Bridge Chatsworth will be starting soon, very soon. Our weekend work will begin this month as we 'practice' setting up at North Murray High School and our official services will begin soon after that. It is important to note however that Jesus didn’t need a building to love people and neither do we. Let’s all offer Christ-Like acceptance – at work, at the grocery store, at school – wherever people are that need to be accepted and hear TRUTH!
Rock Bridge Folks... Watch for more details on the launch in the coming days and be praying to determine how you will serve Him as we move forward... lots to do!
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