What direction may God be working in your rejection? Inviting you to invite others in.

Matthew 5:38-48; Romans 12:20

The Bible tells us we will experience rejection, as difficult as it is God often calls us to extend an invitation to those rejecting us. Jesus provides many examples of loving those who rejected him. Jesus' family at one time “thought he was out of his mind”, yet later the Bible tells us that after Jesus' resurrection he appeared to his brother James. On the cross, Jesus prayed for the soldiers who were crucifying him asking God to “forgive them for they know not what they do”. Peter not only fell asleep during Jesus’ great hour of need in the garden of Gethsemane, but three times he denied even knowing him!  In John we find Jesus not only forgiving Peter but choosing him to be the rock upon which he built his church. As a Christian, accepting those who reject us is a mandate. In Matthew, Jesus teaches when we are struck, we are to offer the other cheek and if someone asks for our cloak, we should also give him our tunic.  Paul tells us in Romans to give food and drink to our enemy. By responding with love and compassion to those who reject us we demonstrate and invite others into the deep love God has for them.

Questions for further thought:
1. How have you extended God’s grace to someone who has rejected you?
2. When has someone you have rejected extended God’s grace to you? 

​Challenge:  Think of one person in your life who has hurt you through rejection. Pray for that person, you may have to begin by just asking God to give you a desire to pray for that person.