A devotional on welcoming others centers on Romans 15:7 (ESV): “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” Jesus welcomed us when we were far from him. Now he calls us to open our lives to others, especially those who are new, different, or left out.
Key Verse
“Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7, ESV)
A Divided Church
The church in Rome included Jewish and Gentile believers with different backgrounds, customs, and convictions about food and holy days. They judged and looked down on one another. Paul spent chapters 14 and 15 urging them to accept each other.
Romans 15:7 is his summary: welcome one another. Paul does not ask them to agree on every issue first. He asks them to receive one another as fellow members of God’s family, bearing with differences for the sake of love.
As Christ Welcomed You
The standard is high. We welcome others the way Christ welcomed us. He did not wait for us to become impressive or agreeable. He welcomed us while we were sinners, enemies, and outsiders.
Remembering his welcome softens our hearts toward people we might otherwise ignore. It is hard to stay cold toward someone when you remember how warmly Jesus received you. Our welcome of others is really an overflow of the welcome we have already received.
Who Needs Welcome?
New students at school. New coworkers. Visitors at church. Neighbors who just moved in. People from different cultures, generations, or political views. Those who feel awkward or out of place. A new school year brings many people into new rooms, often feeling alone.
What Welcome Looks Like
Welcome can be simple: learning someone’s name, sitting with them at lunch, introducing them to others, inviting them for a meal, or following up after a first visit. It also means making room for differences without demanding sameness.
Welcome does not mean approving every belief or behavior. It means treating people with the dignity and kindness Christ shows.
For the Glory of God
Paul says welcome glorifies God. When diverse people love each other, the world sees the power of the gospel. A welcoming church is a living picture of God’s grace. Every time we make room for someone, we tell a small story about how Jesus made room for us.
Welcoming others can be as simple as learning a name, saving a seat, or inviting someone to lunch. Small gestures tell people they matter, and they reflect the way Christ has already welcomed us.
Today, Try This
Look for one person this week who seems new or left out at school, work, or church. Introduce yourself, learn their name, and include them in something.
Reflection Question
Who is someone you find hard to welcome, and how did Christ welcome you?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you welcomed me when I was far from you. Make me welcoming like you. Open my eyes to people who are new, lonely, or different, and help me include them with kindness, for the glory of God. In your name, amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Romans 15:7 mean?
Romans 15:7 (ESV) calls believers to accept and welcome one another in the same gracious way Christ accepted them, which brings glory to God.
What does it mean to welcome others as Christ welcomed us?
It means receiving people with grace, kindness, and openness, not because they earn it but because Christ received us freely.
How can churches be more welcoming?
Greet newcomers warmly, learn names, follow up, include people in groups and meals, make room for differences, and teach members to notice those on the edges.
Keep Reading
- Explore more: Bible verses about love
- Read more daily devotionals
- The narrow way: what the narrow gate means (Matthew 7:13-14)
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