In the previous post we began a look at feelings of rejection. To deal with feelings of rejection; one must first recognize it for what it is: Pride. As Christians so often declare, “I am but a sinner saved by Grace.” Although this is true, all too often, it is used as a Quasi-humility. For if you and I truly grasp that truth, we could never doubt God’s eternal love for us. Never would we feel as though God has rejected us nor walk around depressed over our situation; believing, God must not want to bless us. Even after we have laid our sin at the cross, our own injured pride refuses to let go of our feelings of rejection and accept the love God is pouring out upon us.
Then, trying to hold onto our self-worth, we project our own inner feelings onto others. That way we blame someone else for our feelings. Of course, we could begin by blaming our parents. For me, that was easy. Certainly, I blamed mom for my feelings of rejection, my turmoil with wanting so desperately to be loved. Ah, but I was wrong. I could not deal with those feelings of rejection until I saw them for what they really were: my own sin of pride. You might wonder, “How can feelings of rejection be a form of pride?”
Simon Peter Comes Face to Face with Pride
Let’s take a moment to look at Peter when he betrayed Christ. Peter with great pride had declared that, “Even if everyone else leaves you, Jesus, I won’t.” (paraphrase of Matthew 26:33). Jesus told him that he, Peter would deny Christ three times. When Peter did deny Christ and Jesus looked at him; Peter felt the depth of remorse and believed he was now rejected by Christ. He completely forgot the remainder of what Jesus had said to him, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:31).
Even after all was done and he saw the resurrected Christ, Peter returned to fishing. He believed that Jesus piercing eyes must have now rejected him. Pride could never accept that Jesus loved him still, at least not the way He had. How could Jesus use him, a failure to lead the church?
Unfailing Love of Christ
Remember the scene at the banks when the resurrected Christ asked Peter three times, “Do you love me?” Three times, Peter responded; but, despite Christ asking, “Do you love me with an agape (God like love)? Peter’s response, “I love you with a philia (friendship) love.” Face to face with his own failure, Peter could not say his love was perfect, God like love. Nor could he accept that God could love him completely and forgive him. He could not forgive himself. In that, he faced his own broken, humiliated pride. Still, Christ commissioned him to “feed the sheep.”
Jesus’ love for Peter had not changed. His plan for Peter remained steady and sure. It was Peter, who condemned himself, not Jesus. We do the same. Whenever life gets hard or struggles come, we look within and see our own failures and wonder whether God’s love remains the same. Our feelings get in the way. But the truth is, His love has not changed; because, nothing can separate us from His love. Not even our feelings of unworthiness. We were always unworthy; but, that didn’t stop Jesus from dying on the cross for us.
A Quasi-Humility
When we lay our sins and failures at the foot of the cross, we are forgiven immediately. Our wandering around, feeling still rejected by God as though He cannot pour out His blessings on us is pride masking itself in Quasi-Humility. As though our justice is greater than God’s? Our righteous indignation against ourselves is more righteous than God’s? His love for us is not dependent on us. It depends upon His faithfulness, not ours. Never does His love depend upon our wavering feelings. Rather, it depends upon His unwavering covenant with all who have accepted Christ as their Savior. He is for you, not against you; if you know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Romans 8:31-39
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written, “For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
So, the question remains: “Do you know Jesus Christ as your Savior?” If so, God is for you! His love remains eternally. Nothing can separate you from that love, not even you or your feelings of rejection.
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
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Do You Want to Know the Secret to Abiding Steadfast Joy?
A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.
WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”
Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.
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©Effie Darlene Barba, 2018
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Footnotes and Credits
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