Ever felt rejected? Maybe you were excluded in an activity held by ‘friends’ or co-workers; maybe you were next in line for that promotion at work but it was given to someone else; maybe you were shunned by your peers for having a different point of view on a religious or political issue. There are many examples of rejection, but suffice it to say, no one enjoys feeling rejected.
Talk about rejection … the ultimate rejection … Jesus lived a perfect life yet was rejected by those He loved and ultimately died for! Luke 9:22 - “Saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.”
One day they led Him up Calvary's mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
And took the nails for meChrist-followers are not perfect and can also leave others feeling rejected. Some church groups teach that you must obey the pastor and keep quiet if you disagree with something said or done; and that should you decide to leave the local body, to do it quietly so as not to be disobedient or a reprobate. Folks, there is no such thing as a perfect church. But instead of passing judgment on others, love them. We don’t have to be members of the same local body to love one another. What would Jesus do? (If repentance is an issue, ‘seven times in a day’ comes to mind.)
The Bible uses the word ‘reprobate’ for men of corrupt minds concerning the faith; those who in works deny God and are disobedient … disobedient to God, not man. The Bible tells us how to deal with problems in a biblical manner. If someone ends up leaving the local body, love them! If they are saved … if they are a Christ-follower, they are still your brother or sister and part of the body of Christ! Come alongside them, whether they have sinned or not (are you without sin?) and love them lest you become a reprobate yourself by being disobedient to God’s Word (which admonishes us to be humble, to love one another). Titus 1:16 - “They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.”
Christ-followers, our fight in this world is not against flesh and blood! We are here to glorify our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The way we conduct ourselves and the behaviours we display ought to be indicators that we don’t belong here. Friends, let’s stand out as citizens of heaven!
#OGloriousDay #CastingCrowns #HolySpirit #GaitherMusic #victory #spiritual #vevo #Gospel #ChristianMusic #Jesus #Savior #God #Bible #inspirational #salvation #JesusMatters #VBS4ever @VBS4ever
Comments