Rejected For His Name's Sake (Luke 21:17)

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake.  Luke 21:17

Do you find yourself cut off from others.  Do others act together in friendship in and outside of the work environment, but exclude you?  Do you experience attitudes of rejection without identifying what you could have done to bring it upon you?  The good news is that you are not alone and it is not just your imagination.  The cause of the rejection is probably your testimony of faith.

There are some people who are rejected because they take or make opportunity to give the gospel whether the individuals wants to hear it or not.  They may be rejected because of their faith or possibly not and just because of their demeanor.  Sometimes people like this bring rejection upon themselves.  Sometimes their actions are right meaning they are led of God and other times their actions are not right because they are motivated by self or selfish reasons.

There are others who reach out to workers in love and try to be a help and support.  They strive to be a friend and build relationships with others so as to be a source of help for them in times of crisis.  As loving as these people can be, they still find themselves rejected.  The reason this occurs is because of their testimony for God and righteousness.  Each time the lost see them, they are reminded of the error of their ways.  Regardless of their humanistic views, they still become convicted by the Holy Spirit and the conviction often times comes when they see you.

I remember one occasion when I took a position as an electrician at a small manufacturing plant.  News ran through the building about a new employee coming who was a ministry major in college.  The day that I walked in the door, I had more than half of the employees refuse to speak to me or even say hello.  I didn't even have the opportunity to do anything to make them made at me.  Why was I treated in such a fashion?  They hated me because of his name's sake.

As you struggle through life and the trials that it brings along with experiencing this same rejection, do not be discouraged.  They are not rejecting you, they are rejecting Christ.  This thought does not take away the hurt of rejection, but it should keep you from thinking it is for personal reasons.

#rejection

#testimony