Daily devotion – rejection
Jhn 6:66 From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.
I was sharing the Gospel this week with some men and had a mixed response. Some received it gladly and were keen for more, some were non-committal, and some outright said no!
How do we deal with rejection when we step out to share the Gospel and our faith in Christ with people, and they don’t want anything to do with what you are offering?
Initially, we take a hit on our emotions. No one likes to be rejected. No one enjoys having people disrespect something that you care for and love. It hits us hard sometimes, does it not?
So, I can respond to rejection by closing shop for good on my ever sharing my faith again. I can make a line in the sand and say that’s it!
Or I can get angry and bite back at those who have rejected my sharing with them and not have anything more to do with these people.
Neither of those paths reveals the love of Christ, a passion for the lost, or a revealing of strength in my faith.
Firstly, I need to be aware that rejection will come. In our opening text, even Jesus Christ was openly rejected, and people turned their backs on Him and walked away.
In addition, Paul the Apostle suffered rejection when he opened his heart to share the Gospel on Mars Hill. Acts 17: 32 When they heard Paul speak about the resurrection of the dead, some laughed in contempt, but others said, “We want to hear more about this later.” 33 That ended Paul’s discussion with them, 34, but some joined him and became believers.
As followers of Christ, we need to be aware that salvation is an act of God. We are simply messengers! We proclaim the good news, but it is up to each individual what they do with the Gospel once they have heard it.
Let us also remember sometimes, those who protest the most, that bit back at us most vehemently in their rejection, are often those who have had the Word of God genuinely penetrate their soul and spirit. As did the Apostle Paul himself.
This is why fellowship is so essential to faithful followers of Christ. When we belong to a local Church family, we can gather and encourage each other again to return to the world and preach the Gospel. Especially after we have people close their ears to the love and grace of God previously.
This week, share the good news, leave the result, the impact with the Lord, but let us not stop reaching lost souls of which once were we.
For some will receive the good news and salvation will come to their lives!