Chosen, not Rejected
John 1:10-14 (NLT) He came into the very world he created, but the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own people, and even they rejected him. But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
Jesus knew a little something about rejection. He was an outsider to the world but for those who believe in Him and accept who He is and what He accomplished on the cross, we are the children of God. To be hated by so many - the ones He came to forgive and die for - yet still have a heart full of love for them amazes me.
We may have been rejected by someone or even a group of friends and family for various reasons, but no matter who is against us, we have a loving God that is for us! He stopped at nothing to save us from going to hell for eternity and He gives us peace and joy now for us to enjoy the life we have on earth in abundance. Is there really more to desire?? At the end of the day, we are blessed beyond measure.
What is there really to complain about? The weather? The stock market? Politics? Someone's attitude toward us? Sure we can spend hours debating and arguing but what will matter in the end if we aren't loving others? The joy of the Lord is our strength! Start thanking God that you have money to fill up the gas tank rather than complain about how much it is. Glory to God!
This life is but a vapor - it will pass away before we know it. We are each responsible to do our best managing the life God has given us and helping as many people as possible before the trumpet sounds and we all go home. Despite having been rejected, we all have so much to be grateful for, especially the cross of Christ. He paid it all and although it's a debt we could never repay - we can respond by giving our all to Him so He may be glorified through the lives we live before Him. Even if we are rejected by men, we are chosen by God - is there a better honor than that?
1 Peter 2:4 (NLT) You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.
Isaiah 53:3-6 (NLT) He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down. And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God, a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.
