Overcoming Self – Part 9

In today’s blog, we’re going to continue the second part from yesterday’s blog on Persecution, and that is the topic of Rejection.  This is taken from my book, Victory Over Backsliding. 

Note:  I have written out the verses that are included in the footnotes.

The Pain of Rejection 

Many new Christians do not understand the tremendously high cost of following Christ.  They are not prepared for the often negative response of family and friends.  It is especially difficult for a person who becomes a Christian and the rest of his family and friends remain unsaved.  In some countries new Christians are permanently renounced and can no longer remain a member of their family or society.  Some couples marry when they are both unsaved and then one of them becomes a Christian and is rejected by their mate.  The possibility of rejection is a fact of life when we live and work in a godless world filled with unbelievers who are opposed to God and are convicted and troubled just by our presence (see 2 Cor. 2:14b-16a).

2Co 2:14  and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.

2Co 2:15  For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:

2Co 2:16  To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life.

          We had better be prepared to possibly lose our family, our friends, our job and our status in society if we are serious followers of Christ (see Matthew 10:37-39, 19:29).

Mat 10:37  He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

Mat 10:38  And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.

Mat 10:39  He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.

Mat 19:29  And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Interestingly, it is often backslidden Christians who return to God after they have married an unbeliever or after they have befriended many unsaved friends, who suffer the greatest rejection.  We may pay a very high price when we take a stand for the Lord.  If we are not strong, we may continue to believe in Jesus, but openly deny Him.  Like Peter, who felt embarrassed and ashamed that he was recognized as a disciple of Jesus, we may shrink away from sharing our faith for the same reason (see Matthew 26:69-75). 

Mat 26:69  Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee.

Mat 26:70  But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest.

Mat 26:71  And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

Mat 26:72  And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man.

Mat 26:73  And after a while came unto him they that stood by, and said to Peter, Surely thou also art one of them; for thy speech bewrayeth thee.

Mat 26:74  Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew.

Mat 26:75  And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.

Christianity is not very popular in our secular world and people do not want to hear about the gospel because their deeds are evil.  They would rather their sins remain hidden.  But one day all these hidden things will be revealed (see Mark 4:22). 

Mar 4:22  For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.

Can we afford to hold back the truth or do we love God and others enough to be willing to take the pain of rejection and suffer for the sake of Christ (see 2 Cor. 4:3-4)?

2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Taken from Victory Over Backsliding, by Linda McBurney-Gunhouse, Creative Focus Publishing, p. 74-75, 2007.

In the next blog, we’ll discuss a common problem today that many suffer with and that is loneliness.  We’ll see what can happen when we lack the safety and support network of good sound Christian fellowship and friendships.