Rejection
and suffering for Christ
Suffering for Christ is real. There are levels of suffering for Christ that most of us will never know anything about. We know missionaries suffer and oppressed people in many countries face death if their faith is found out. Rocks and words are thrown at those professing their faith. Online persecution and doxing are ugly and happen often. Retribution comes in many forms for those who are willing to stand for the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Rejection can manifest differently in each of our lives, but regardless of who does the rejecting, the resulting pain hurts you deeply. Friends can push you away. Coworkers can snub you. Family can turn their backs on you completely.
But when they do that because of the gospel of Christ, that is a whole new level of rejection and suffering.
When loved ones shame you for standing up for the truth of the gospel of grace, the rejection, isolation, and loneliness that result are a deep source of suffering. This kind of pain isn’t easily remedied, even when the persecutor accepts the gift of salvation. Accepting salvation by faith doesn’t simply erase things that have been said or done to the offended. But there is hope once your loved one understands your life of faith because they now have their own.
Another level of suffering for Christ comes when legalistic Christians persecute other believers for embracing their freedom in Christ. We are allowed to enjoy the abundant life God has blessed us with, and trusting in the gospel is the right thing to do. Legalistic Christians can attempt to earn their way to God and strive to secure His love, but what a waste of the precious new life we have been blessed with.
Jealousy and competition can make a person do and say terrible things.
In case legalists forget, coveting is still a sin.
