“To penetrate deeply into someone else’s life requires concerted effort in the present with implied commitment for the future.” – Em Griffin
This is one of my favorite quotes of all time. Not only do I like the words, I love putting it into practice!
Too often people want to appear as if they are interested in someone’s life or circumstance, when they really are just trying to be nice. For someone to show genuine care for another one must not only begin the engagement but welcome the other into their own life. This is not always easy, but it is necessary to develop a lasting relationship. The fact is, penetrating deeply into someone’s life requires you to welcome one another into your own life as described in Scripture.
Exposing the Action to Welcome One Another
What does it mean to welcome one another?
Welcoming one another goes beyond merely saying “Hi” to someone, it involves a depth of concern. A depth that is evident, not only by your words, but is evident by your life and character. The actions that flow out of one’s character is what becomes inviting, or repelling, to others around them. Being cognizant of character development for the purpose of welcoming someone into your life can be the difference between relationship and acquaintance.
Having a firm understanding of the importance of knowing what welcoming is, and should look like, separates those who are hospitable and those who are not. Allowing someone to cross the threshold of your life in order for you to be able to cross their threshold is what is needed to have a true biblical execution of welcoming one another.
What does the Bible say about welcoming one another?
The biblical precedence for the concept of welcoming one another can be seen throughout the New Testament through the actions such as described as “greeting one another with a holy kiss” (1 Pet 5:14; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; Rom. 16:16). But the first thing people think of when bringing up these certain texts is the cultural difference between then and now. How many times do you walk into church on Sunday morning and lay a big wet one on the ushers? You don’t, or shouldn’t!
The scriptural reference to greeting or welcoming one another can be best understood by Paul’s letter to the Romans. In Rom. 15:7 he states, “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” This imperative to welcome one another carries the same idea/concept that is behind greeting one another with a holy kiss. Paul’s words communicate the opening up of one’s life to another and inviting them into their presence.
So, simmer down! No one in your church, except maybe your spouse if you have one, is expecting the be greeted with a kiss. But what we are expected to do with our brothers and sisters in the Lord is to invite them into our lives.
What is a clear model of welcoming one another?
Just like any other instruction, by having a clear example to follow it is more likely that you will be able to follow the commands given in Scripture. As for the case of welcoming one another into your life, I believe the apostle Paul is a great candidate for understanding what that looks like. Not only did he communicate the command, but he also modeled it with his life.
When confronted with the perceived need to defend his calling to be an apostle, Paul opens himself up like a book. In 2 Cor. 11 & 12, among other places, Paul shares with the church his heartaches and trials, his tribulations and persecutions, and in all honesty, he shares his greatest weaknesses. Paul opens himself up, and welcomes everyone into his life, to share his “thorn in the flesh.”
Paul explains with words, yet models with his life, that he is bankrupt without Christ. He shows his weakness and tells of his strength, all through welcoming his readers/friends into his life.
A biblical model of welcoming one another involves the vulnerability of being shown as weak, all the while knowing that, no matter what happens, He is strong.
Why is welcoming one another important for impacting the culture of your church?
The only way the culture of your church is going to experience true transformation is by allowing the Spirit of God to breakdown the dividers that separate individuals from one another. By welcoming one another as described above, the believers in your church can display the efficacy of the imperative. And it is through this display that others will be able to embrace the transforming power of the Spirit I their lives.
Displaying the proper way to welcome one another in fellowship provides an embracing environment to build upon. Words are great and have their important role but being able to set eyes on a truth of Scripture elevates the pulse of those around to want to be involved in the movement of God in the church.
Conclusion
Being able to penetrate into the lives of others requires us to welcome others into our own lives. As we have seen above, welcoming someone into our life goes beyond mere words. Welcoming is an action that crosses barriers and provides environments for effective culture to be developed. The culture in focus that we are intending to change is the counseling culture, but the practice of the Allēlōn Principle in each of these areas will transform every part of the church.
Here’s what you’ve got to do: Pursue a better understanding of the reciprocal action of welcoming one another and continue to refresh yourself with the purpose and design of the Allēlōn Principle. In doing so you will see more opportunities where you can open yourself to others in order to cross the thresholds of relationship.
As you do this, identify a couple key areas to work on to be better at welcoming others into your life that will display a truer picture of Christ in you and passionately purse them. I promise it won’t be for nothing!
Allelon Principle 