Beyond Doctrine: Uncovering the Radical Acceptance in Jesus’ Gospel—Lost to Centuries of Church Tradition
Exploring the forgotten heart of Jesus' message—a radical acceptance obscured by centuries of doctrine.
Have we lost the essence of Jesus’ message, trading his radical acceptance for a gospel that often leaves believers burdened by fear, self-doubt, and even hatred?
In my last essay, I questioned whether the “gospel” was truly good news when so many believers experience fear, self-doubt, self-criticism, and despair.
I was one of them.
Over the next few essays, I’ll explore Jesus’ teachings and on his gospel. Jesus didn’t preach a message that instilled fear or self-loathing; instead, he offered one grounded in freedom and peace, built on love and acceptance.
Can True Love Exist Without Acceptance? Discover Jesus' Answer
“Love one another, as I have loved you” (John 13:34-35). We’ve heard this Scripture often, but have we truly grasped its depth? As I reread these words, an insight struck me: Jesus’ love is rooted in acceptance. This was a “aha” moment that brought me to tears. I suddenly realized how deeply Jesus loved others without judgment.
Jesus’ Radical Examples of Acceptance
Consider how Jesus accepted those whom society rejected:
· Levi the Tax Collector (Luke 5:27-32): Despite being despised for exploiting his own people, Jesus looked right into his eyes with love and acceptance and invited Levi to become a member of his following.
The Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-42): Jesus, a Jew, engaged in a meaningful conversation with a Samaritan woman, breaking societal and ethnic barriers to show her love and acceptance.
Judas Iscariot (John 13:1-30): Jesus knew Judas would betray him, yet he honored him by washing his feet and offering him bread at the Last Supper. Jesus accepted Judas to the end, showing profound, unconditional love.
Acceptance: The Core of Jesus’ Love
"Love one another, as I have loved you." Jesus’ love didn’t require judgment or evaluation. He welcomed people exactly as they were, offering acceptance as the foundation of love.
And yet, this is something many of us struggle to do, especially within religious circles.
Too often, we’ve missed this core message, layering it with rules and ideas that deviate from the simplicity of Jesus’ teachings.
But perhaps the difficulty in accepting others starts with a lack of self-acceptance.
When weighed down by shame, guilt, and self-loathing, it’s no surprise that many Christians find it challenging to accept themselves—let alone others.
For years, I struggled with this burden myself. Only recently have I begun to truly love and accept who I am, and with that self-acceptance, I found the capacity to accept others.
Acceptance is truly at the core of love. Embracing it feels like stepping into warm, refreshing waters. Jesus’ love was there all along—pure, accepting, and liberating.
A New Understanding of Love
"Love one another, as I have loved you" calls us to embrace one another without judgment, without scrutinizing flaws.
Acceptance is the first step into the refreshing waters of love — divine love that Jesus showed.
Imagine yourself letting go of criticism, self-loathing, and judgment and fully embracing acceptance! That’s the impact Jesus’ message can have on our hearts and minds so we can truly love one another beyond doctrine.
In my next essay, we’ll explore how Jesus’ message also empowers us from within, helping us move beyond fear, doubt, and despair.