Rejected for Christ

Every day we encounter people who need Jesus – His salvation.

But we all fall short in sharing His Gospel.

Are our shortcomings because we are happy when other people show appreciation for us or get along with us and we don’t want to “offend” anyone (how popular culture would have us act)?

It’s a natural desire to want to fit in.

But Jesus never cared what other people might think about Him.

He came to deliver the truth that would set souls free from sin.

He was hated for the message He delivered and suffered for on the Cross.

His followers, disciples, took up His message and set forth to share with the world.

Jesus warned what would happen to them.

Matthew 5:11 (KJV) – “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.”

That will happen to us among those we want to like us. It’s inevitable.

But being reviled for our faith is worth it.

Matthew 5:12 (KJV) – “Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

And, along the way, we hope and pray some choose salvation through Jesus.

Now, disciple, would you rather be the likable one in the crowd, or speak the Gospel and be reviled by those who reject Christ?

3 Questions for now

One of my mentors believes direct is best when sharing Jesus.

What does “direct” mean for you?

A casual conversation and a quick turn to discuss eternity?

Or a straight up question?

For today, let’s think direct:

• I many never see you again, do you know Jesus?

• What do you know about the Bible and salvation?

• Do you know Jesus?

Ask, and you’ll find out.

Be kind. Love others. Be bold.

Shawn’s noodling rant:

(“Noodling” is a term I swiped from my mentor. The meaning is to “ponder” or “think deeply about” a topic that God is challenging us with through scripture or the Holy Spirit, or both.)

Disciples will be rejected for Christ

Peace on earth and good will toward men.

That’s a hopeful sentiment that I wish were true.

I don’t know that it has ever been achieved to any significant degree after the fall of man.

The many headlines I peruse each day in my world paint a less comforting and darker picture of humanity today.

So why would believers today believe that there is such an existence on earth? At least in any continuous state.

The U.S. has arguably been the longest reign of any perceived peace and good will among societies in history. Christianity has flourished, and the nation has created a great deal of comfort for believers.

But Jesus didn’t come to bring peace on earth. (Luke 12:51-53).

He is a disrupter of peace.

The message He brought to this earth exposes sin and the prospect of eternal damnation.

That can be an unsettling water cooler conversation starter at work. Or really anywhere else.

1 John 3:13 (KJV) – “Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.”

In a day of alternate truths, self-help gurus and the person-centric idealism of self-fulfillment to attain peace in the afterlife, Jesus’ message is as divisive today as it ever was.

And more and more, even in the comfort zone for Christianity in this country, speaking truth about Jesus will get you rejected.

Maybe even cancelled – fired from a job, expelled from school, arrested or even violently attacked.

While still not as dangerous here as in many other countries, the rejection of believers is intensifying all around us.

Follow the Roman Road in conversation with someone today, and intent, purpose and caring can get twisted by someone who is easily offended. Rejection commences.

John 15:18 (KJV) – “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.”

The world will love its own but hate believers who have not chosen this world. (John 15:19)

Still, disciple, love them, be bold … and be prepared.

Romans 12:14 (KJV) – “Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.”

Rejection will happen, but there is always hope that one will hear Jesus calling and follow Him.

And if one, maybe another.