Focus: Reject Rejection

Text: Eph.1:6

"To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us ACCEPTED in the beloved."

Rejection is depressing and demoralizing to many people. Indeed a lot of people are suffering from depression because of rejection. They feel rejected, dejected and deflated. They believe in the lies of men and Satan.

Jesus experienced rejection, but amid the rejections of men He never rejected Himself. He rested on His Father's approval.

At His baptism, the Father said, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." At the Mount of Transfiguration, the Father said the same thing, and added, "Hear ye him." In His earthly life and death on the cross, He was "justified in the Spirit" (1Tim.3:16). The Father vindicated Him by raising Him from the dead and exalted His name above all other names. He was received up in glory and given a seat at the right hand of the Father.

Tell me, what other approval is Jesus looking for? Absolutely none! The rejection of men meant nothing to Him. As a matter of fact, you reject Him at your own peril.

In John 1:10, the world He made rejected Him. They didn't even recognize or took notice of Him.

In John 1:11, His nation - His own people in the flesh - would have nothing to do with Him. They received Him not. In Mark 6:4, His country, kinsmen and family despised Him. In Luke 4:29, His city pushed Him away. In John 7:5, His own brothers and family members did not believe in Him. In Luke 9:22, the elders of His people, the chief priests and scribes rejected Him and plotted for His death. In Mark 14:71, His own disciple, Peter, denied ever knowing Him. Of course, you know that Judas Iscariot, another of His disciple, betrayed and traded Him for money, while the rest of His disciples forsook Him. But He survived it all. Why? Because He knew His identity and accepted His destiny as designed by the Father.

Jesus Christ wasn't vindictive or reactive. He didn't at any time try to retaliate. He gave no space for the spirit of revenge. He never sought nor lived for favorable public opinion and human approval. He accepted Himself and lived only for one man's audience - God.

Listen, don't let any human being in this world make you feel unwanted. Another has said that no man has the right to make you feel inferior without your permission. Paul declares authoritatively that we are "complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power" (Col.2:10).

Your adequacy is in Christ. Accept who God says you are, regardless of whether man validates you or not. The grace of God has granted you the highest honors and privileges in this world and in the one to come.

Christ has given His life for you and bestowed honor on you. You are not inferior; you are unique. And uniqueness is not inferiority. You are not less human for being different. So free yourself from the shackles of human opinion and reject the rejections of men and demons. You are blessed of God.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter