The rejection of men, leads to the acceptance from God!

 

Have you been hurt and wounded by people or communities? When hurt, have you reacted to those hurts and ended up being the victim, though you are the one who was wronged? Have people disingenuously held your mistakes against you and flung the first stone at you? Sounds familiar?

 

Well, having been through that, I’ve learned to build immunity from persecution in such a way that it doesn’t matter to me what people say or do to me. Jesus cautioned us about persecution when He said “If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also.” John 15:20.

 

Most of the time when standing for truth and righteousness, we are often times not treated with favour; this is the irony of this fallen world. As A.W. Tozer said, “To be right with God has often meant to be in trouble with men.” You are a saint to people when you tell them lovely things about themselves from the Bible. The moment you tell them that their illicit, unrepentant lifestyle is contrary to the Word of God, you are treated as a scoundrel!

Persecution is not a contemporary tool of the enemy that comes through the sans conscience person, but instead it is the most conventional tool. Though not justifiable, many people react in PROVOCATION and in reacting, they are held convicted to the crime. Instilling of Provocation is like sprinkling salt on an open wound and expecting the victim not to react. When the victim reacts, he or she is victimised instead of the perpetrator of the crime.

Fascism has even crept into all religious circles. One look at some groups and you can see their insecurity leading to authoritarianism or a delinquent ideology.  

Are you being provoked by a person, group or even your own family, or even worst, your own prayer group? As God has vindicated in the past, He will do the same even now. I’m not exempted from persecution; I’ve had my share and more.  The times when God has given your persecutors into your hands and you have all you need to ‘strike back and ‘strike down’ and expose them – but, you refrain from doing that, then you know that you’re walking with God. You pardon and make peace. ‘Blessed are the peacemakers’ As St. Francis of Assisi said:“It is in pardoning that we are pardoned.”

It is not up to us to judge or condemn, but it is up to us to grant mercy as God grants us mercy when we fail. Never vindicate yourself, but allow God to do it. Always remember that reconciliation is immunity against the devil and his schemes. In times of persecution, know that God is ever so mindful of your situation and He’s ready to help you. As William Barclay said"The hand of Christ is strong enough to uphold the heavens, and gentle enough to wipe away our tears"

 

If you’re a vessel that is broken, go to Christ, the well spring of life. Always be filled with the Holy Spirit and be under the outpouring of His tap of mercy. "The only way to keep a broken vessel full is to keep it always under the tap." D L Moody.

 

God Himself is your immunity. “And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,' declares the LORD” Zachariah 2:5. Be surrounded by God’s protection.

 

Don’t let persecution or criticism push you into a corner. Begin to build immunity to the things that affect you negatively.  As you use the Word of God as your immunity, soon the persecution will not affect you anymore. You will stand victorious when the next persecution comes along because you will have your immunity. Never search the Scripture to find vengeance against your accusers because in doing so, you would only build animosity. At times it is tempting, but leave it to God’s wisdom and care. He vindicates your cause.

 

There was man who was admiring a majestic eagle as it was soaring high in the air. Suddenly, the majestic eagle began to radically decline until it forcefully hit the ground and stayed motionless.  The man went to the eagle, opened its wings which spread nine feet across and realised the jaws of a weasel clinging on to the throat of the eagle, leaving it dead. When the eagle had pounced on the weasel and the weasel swivelled and bit as instinct taught it to, it clung on, tooth to neck. The little weasel had killed the majestic eagle.

 

Metaphorically, as a Christian, you are called to be majestic, knowing when to let go of the weasels in your life. The eagle would have been victorious if only it had let go of the little weasel, but instead, it had become a victim instead of a victor. Whatever the weasel in your life, it may be a devious man calling you his brother or a deceitful woman calling you her companion, let go of all that hinders YOUR call to be majestic. Too many Servants of God have fallen after soaring high because they allowed the weasels to cling on to their throats, thus suffocating them. They did not build immunity, and they lived negligent life styles. BUILD IMMUNITY. Some learn from the mistakes of others, some learn from their own mistakes and some are yet to learn, while some, like this eagle, never learn!

 

Don’t stand alone, be united with trusted people who will uphold you, guide you and sustain you in your walk.  Don’t take counsel from people who are reckless and foolish, but befriend the wise. “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise:  but a companion of fools shall be destroyed” Proverbs 13:20 (KJV)

 

Persecution is synonym with being a disciple of Christ. “God had one Son on earth without sin, but never one without suffering.” St. Augustine.

 

Ignore the enemy. My Mentor told me this: “When I’m persecuted, I laugh at the enemy and ignore his tricks and he flees” he said “if you pay attention and give importance to your persecution, he will harass you.” This is true, just ignore the enemy and set your eyes upon Jesus.

 

Do not be counted among those who carry unforgiveness, hatred or malice. Instead, “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” Proverbs 4:23. In doing so, “…the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

 

'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' Matt 22:37

 

That if you love the Lord with all of your HEART, He will never permit the HEART BREAKER into your life. That if you love the Lord with all of your MIND, He will never permit the FICKLE MINDED into your life. That if you love the Lord with all of your SOUL, He will never allow the SOUL SNATCHER…

 

My dear friend in Christ Jesus, know this:

What people don’t understand, they persecute! People persecute you because they don’t understand you. They don’t understand you because they don’t know who called you! Your CALL is from God and not from man!