Have you been rejected? Week 10, 2015

                                                 

It is a painful thing to be rejected. Whoever enjoys the experience? “Why? What did I do wrong?” Questions like that come again and again to mind, along with a feeling of resentment towards the person(s) who rejected you. It is a vulnerable feeling when you do not handle it well. Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?  If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." Gen 4:6-7 (NIV). Cain is no example of handling rejection. His rejection was as a result of his error anyway. When we have been rejected how do we drive away the sin crouching at the door? Bitterness or hatred towards those who reject you is poisonous. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 1 Jn 2:9(NIV). The first thing is to crosscheck the rejection did not arise from our sin, our laziness, or neglect of doing things by the rules. If that is the case please repent urgently. See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Heb 12:16-17(NIV). “But Pastor I had done nothing wrong” you may protest. “In fact I am being rejected for doing the right thing.” How did Jesus handle it?

Do not seek vengeance or punishment upon those who reject you (nor any accepted instead of you as Cain did). Inhabitants of a village of the Samaritans rejected Jesus because He was set on going to Jerusalem. When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?" But Jesus turned and rebuked them, Lk 9:54-55(NIV). Rebuke any who suggests doing such on your behalf. Bless everyone and realise God has another place prepared for you: and they went to another village. Lk 9:56(NIV). Consider Jesus’ rejection after casting out the legion of demons. Jesus blessed the people in commissioning the man "Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” Lk 8:39(NIV) and He left. No qualms. But notice what happened next. Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.Lk8:40(NIV). When we are walking with God rejection by men simply signifies that another ministry location beckons.

Have you been rejected by someone? God has someone waiting to welcome you. Has a door of service been closed by your being rejected? Struggle not. A glorious open door is eagerly expecting you. Rightly responding to rejection is being led by the spirit not punishment by man or victory to Satan. When the Jewish leaders rejected Jesus the result was that God turned to you and I; and so non Jews have been included in God’s salvation: the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God's offer of salvation... Rom 11:12(NLT).   Rejoice!