Handling Rejection
Tuesday, January 10, 2023Key Verse
“He came unto his own, and his own received him not” (John 1:11).
Text: John 1:10-14
In 1858, the Illinois legislature using an obscure statute – sent Stephen A. Douglas to the United States Senate instead of Abraham Lincoln although Lincoln had won the popular vote. When a sympathetic friend asked Lincoln how he felt, he said, “Like the boy who stubbed his toe; I am too big to cry, and too badly hurt to laugh”.
John the Beloved wrote in our text about the glory of Christ, who came in the form of man so He can redeem us from sin and reconcile us to God. Unfortunately, Christ was rejected by His own nation, Israel. Much largely also, the world He created and sustained through the ages, equally rejected Him. Thankfully, there is a happy remnant who received Him. Those who receive Him as Saviour and Lord are given power to become children of God (John 1:12).
Rejecting Christ comes with grave consequences. Where He is absent, there is crisis, crime and calamity. Peace cannot be guaranteed without the presence of the Prince of Peace. The nation of Israel has not known peace since Christ was crucified in Jerusalem over two thousand years ago after the Jews shouted, ‘Crucify Him! Crucify Him!! Till this day, Israel has not enjoyed the one thing they desired over the years – peace! Neither has the surrounding nations in the region enjoyed the security and quiet living they have desired for decades. The world also continues to face political, economic and social crises on a daily basis.
As believers, we sometimes face rejection as a result of our faith or when we take the gospel of Christ to the world. It can also be painful when we are rejected by our own family and friends on account of our faith. The Lord says we should rejoice and be glad, for our reward is great in heaven. We must continue to show love and compassion to everyone and remain fully persuaded about the joy and peace of God and the hope of lasting bliss with our Lord and Saviour.
Thought for the day
Rejection can be gainful or painful depending on who does it to you.
GENESIS 29 - 31
About Author - Pastor W.F. Kumuyi
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
