7 August 2013 by Mindy Oon CM –
Have you ever tried sharing the good news with a friend or a family member and all you got was rejected? Many of us have experienced this and getting rejected again and again can be hard on our confidence when it comes to haring the gospel. However, if we can learn how to follow God whether we’re accepted or rejected, we will be able to fulfill God’s call on our lives to reach out to others.
Jesus began his public ministry in Nazareth. This was where He grew up and one would expect that the people He knew would be a source of encouragement. While the crowd was happy with Jesus’ teachings to a point, they became so enraged with Him that they actually tried to kill him when His words became more direct and corrective. Luke 4:28-29 says “So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him down over the cliff.” However Jesus didn’t’ stick around to defend the validity of His ministry and Luke 4:30 says “Then passing through the midst of them, He went His way.”
Jesus continued on to Capernaum, and in Capernaum he preached to large crowds, performed miracles and cast out devils from among the people. Everyone was happy and they wanted Jesus to stay. But He didn’t either, for he knew that there were others who need to hear His message.
Jesus was not moved by people’s rejection. Nor was He moved by their acceptance. He was moved by the Spirit of God. We too need to learn how to be moved by the Spirit of God, and not by people’s reactions to us.
When People Reject Us
So what should we do when people reject us? Sometimes we feel if we could just explain something a little clearer or a little better we would be a better witness and would be able to help others better. However, sometimes we just have to know when to break free from false responsibility. In Matthew 10, Jesus told His disciples that if they wen tot a town and the people didn’t accept them, they should just shake the dust off their feet and go to the next town.
What does this mean for us? It means that when someone does not want to be helped, we can continue to pray for them, but we are not obligated to try and change them. We should not stop sharing just because one person rejects us. Do what Jesus did and move on to the next person until somebody wants to listen to the good news.
When We Get Too Comfortable
There are others who will love and appreciate us, and we feel that we don’t ever want to leave their side. While it’s tempting to stay around people like that because they really care, we will not be able to reach out to others in need if we continue to stay in the same small circle. Don’t abandon friends, but do get out of our comfort zone to make a difference in the lives of others.
The truth is, if we regularly reach out to help people, encourage and edify them and treat them the way we want to be treated, we will be the ones who will be spiritually fulfilled. Just like Christ was not moved by how people reacted to Him, we too should learn to move in accordance with the Spirit of God. Just as God said to Abraham in Genesis 12:2 ‘I will bless you and I will make you a blessing, causing you to dispense good to others,’ He too will do the same through us.
Dear Viewers in Christ, if you find this article edifying to you, please share with your friends or loved ones by using the social media plugs (Share, Email to this article). The Lord will surely bless you as you bless others. May the Lord’s peace and love be with you.
References for pictures:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leslie-goshko/rejection_b_3272718.html
http://www.boolumaster.com/mixes-dj-blog/positive-quotes-1-11-12-squash-it-and-move-on/
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