Overcoming Rejection

How well do we handle rejection? Most people desire to be accepted and to be liked by all. They find it hard to deal with re-rejection. They would like to be popular and be friends with every-one, but sometimes there are those who will not show themselves friendly. We must be able to handle or deal with this in a positive way. Jesus said for us to love our enemies and pray for them (Matt. 5:43-48 - Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye?  do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans do so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.)  If people don't accept you and your commitment to Christ, that's their loss.

When Jesus walked on this earth, he was rejected by his own, and the "religious powers" of that day. (John 1:11-12 - He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to be-come the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.) He was "the light that shined in the darkness and the darkness comprehended it not." (John 1:5) Even though he was rejected, he was willing to come and bring the message of good news and hope for lost humanity.  Jesus prayed for those who rejected him (Luke 23:35 -  "…Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." )

Today we have a very precious promise that has been given to us by Jesus. In John 14:15-18 & 26, Jesus is speaking and tells us that the Comforter would come. The Comforter is the Holy Ghost, and he would teach and remind us of his teachings. There are many "religious powers" of today that reject their teachings concerning the Baptism with the Holy Ghost. They are inclined to disregard the things that are recorded in the Book of Acts. It seems they would like to reject this part of the teachings of Jesus.  Many conveniently disregard Acts 2:1-4 "…and they were filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."  Some conveniently forget the message Peter preached in Acts 2:14-21 "…I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; and on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit: and they shall prophecy." 

The "religious powers" of today reject this message and they will reject those of you who have received of God this Holy Ghost Baptism and those who dare to contend for the faith of the early church. Rejection does not change the promise that Jesus gave to us; therefore, we must face the rejection and keep a positive attitude. We are thankful today because we are seeing people from these "religious powers" receiving the "promise" and are accepting the gifts of the Holy Spirit as recorded in I Corinthians 12:1-31.  I am so very thankful of our "forefathers" that have stood in the face of much opposition and dared to believe and pose these promises down to us today.  Stand tall and proud that Jesus would entrust to us these blessed hopes and promises, keep a sweet spirit and attitude in dealing with rejection; be forgiving; follow after Jesus Christ's example; never have a contention about you!   In love....

Author:  Pastor Leroy Bowley, December 1996

Webmaster:  Leroy Bowley
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Revised: March 3, 2009