Rejection is not fun. That means, there are days when being a Christian is not fun. Rejection happens because God’s ways and the laws of His Kingdom often look very different from what people consider the rightful order of things. In our minds, if we work hard we should be rewarded in ways that manifest the status of what we achieved. But the message of Christ requires obedience and sacrifice. In the eyes of the world, this is some serious pain. This is why, others might reject Christ and His messengers.
Paul: A Case Study in Rejection
The Apostle Paul knew a thing or two about rejection. He was a highly educated man, who despite an ignoble beginning as a vehement persecutor of the early church, converted to Christianity. He worked valiantly for the defense of the Gospel. He is the author of most of the books in the New Testament. The impact of his life and work resonate across thousands of years. Yet, his testimony given in 1 Cor 4:8-13 (KJV) makes your hair stand on end.
Paul the Apostle> Russian icon from first quarter of 18th cen. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;
12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Weak, Hungry, Thirsty, Reviled???
Hear Paul’s words: “fools for Christ’s sake, weak, despised, hunger, thirst.” Even more humiliating: “naked, buffeted, no certain dwelling place, reviled.” Even more dangerous: “persecuted, suffer, defamed, appointed to death.” These are some of the darkest words in the English language. They are a simple description of everyman’s worse nightmare. These words are the bane of every ambitious person. It is a fate that one would not wish upon a dog, yet such a crown was laid upon Paul’s head. Just as the crown of thorns was laid upon the brow of the Savior. Paul’s life demonstrates that the “servant is not greater than his Master.”
Get Ready for Rejection
There is something about the man of God being ground to dust that does not seem right, or even fair. Isn’t God a God of justice? Yes He is. Not only that, but without Him no justice would exist in the universe. Why then are things at times so oddly turned upside down for true believers? The answer is: Because we live in hostile territory. But the suffering of God’ people demonstrates God’s love and patience. “How is that?” you ask. Consider this flow of truths:
A life of sin and an eternity in Hell is the default condition of humanity without the shed blood of Jesus. By God’s grace and mercy, Jesus’ death paid for ALL sins, past, present, and future. Salvation exists, but there are many who refuse its path. This means that all men and women who live outside of Jesus are in perpetual, vehement rebellion against God. This is because, rebellion against God is the default action of the state of sin.
The unregenerate mind resonates within the global Satanic brain, resisting everything related to Jesus Christ. In short, that which hates God, will hate that which represents God. Do not be surprised Dear Christian, when the world has no laurel wreath for your brow.
Why Me? Why You?
Because God is just, He sends His servants into the wicked world anyway. (Romans 10: 14) tells us why. “how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Believers often get sent into harms way, because we are “fishers of men.” Unfortunately, the waters (nations, economies) that the fish swim in, are ungodly and dangerous.
The world will not hear about the things of God if the children of God refuse to speak. We dare not keep silent and cause the rocks to cry out. Think of it this way: God sends us out into the world because He sent His son into the world. God sent Jesus to be a propitiation for sin. So, He sends His children forth as witnesses to this truth, because He does not want any soul to perish. 2 Peter 3:9 says:
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
The Enemies of the Cross Will Reject You. Get Over It!
The servants of God suffer because the world we live in is ruled by the enemies of the cross. The servants of God suffer because they are in the world but not of it. The servants of God suffer on this earth because Jesus suffered, and died on this earth, conquering death and Hell to reign forever.
So when out and about in the world, remember Who you represent. Put your best foot forward in faith and perseverance. Don’t be surprised when you see stones like lies and slander flying past your head. Stand in faith, knowing that your reward is sure in Heaven, and your comfort is sure on Earth. Oh yes, and don’t forget to “pray without ceasing,” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) for prayer is your surest access for strength to stand.
Reflection and Prayer
You know that the world mistreated Jesus; therefore, it will mistreat you. You know that the world will hate you because you are not of it, just as Jesus was and is not of it. You know that rejection and persecution are painful. And you accept that you fear pain and rejection. Given all this, what then is your prayer?
This is my prayer. Maybe you can pray it too!
Abba Father, Bless Your holy name! Father I praise You for Your love, strength, goodness and power. I bless Your name forever Lord, because I am accepted in the Beloved. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for sins of mankind, that men and women through faith in His name will be born again into Your Kingdom.
Thank you Abba, for Your word, that warns us of the relentless vehemence of rebellion mounted by those who despise the name of Jesus. Thank You Father, that I have Your strength to sustain me through hard times of rejection and dejection.
Forgive me Lord God for the many times I have chosen to not do Your will because I feared what men would do to me. Grant me courage Lord, to stand strong in Christ, empowered to do Your will in my life. May my light so shine that men will see my good works and glorify my Father which is in Heaven. These things I ask knowing they will be granted me, in Jesus’ precious name I pray. Amen & Amen!!
“For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.”
1 Cor 4:20 (KJV)
Until next time: Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
Your friend in Christ,
Verneda
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The video Praise You in This Storm by Casting Crowns was posted on Youtube.com by MissionXBlog on Nov 2, 2007. Verneda Lights and E-graphX Omnimedia have no ownership in this video. It is used for instructional purposes only.
© 2011 Verneda Lights. All Rights Reserved
Updated, July 14, 2016
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