Do You Reject Jesus?

I am hoping that when you saw the title of this blog, you did not pass by it because you thought it was not for you. Many Christians when they are asked this question, immediately respond with a resounding “NO”. But many of us fail to realize that the daily choices we make, the compromises we make in our life, or the actions we take or do not take are in fact a rejection of Jesus. Yes, I know, this is a hard truth to swallow, but I feel that more of us need to understand this and that we need to shine a light on our life’s realities.

The first topic I want to explore is social media. Many of us craft an online persona that portrays an idealized version of ourselves. Rarely do we post our struggles and or our difficulties because deep down we know that no one wants to read that kind of stuff. Instead, we post the positive, sunny sides of our life keeping the view at surface level. You may wonder what is so wrong with that and what does it have to do with rejecting Jesus? Well, I am glad you asked. Every time we present a false persona, we are, in a sense, rejecting the true and genuine identity that Jesus calls us to embrace. Oftentimes, we are unknowingly seeking the validation and acceptance from others through likes and comments instead of seeking these things from our Father in Heaven, resulting in us rejecting Jesus. Every time we post something for reasons other than providing information that directs someone to God’s word or to bring glory to Him, we may be inadvertently rejecting Jesus. I challenge you two ask yourself two questions before you consider posting anything. One is “What are my intentions” and the second is “Does this direct the reader to God or bring Him Glory.”

The second topic I want to explore is the aspect of our daily choices. Every day we are presented with choices. Some choices can be as simple as what we consume. The movies, shows, and music we indulge as well as the people we associate with should be uplifting and aligned with our faith, not glorify values contrary to the Gospel? While many will say that they are careful with what they watch or listen to, or who they associate with, the true challenge occurs when what you have been consuming strays from the values of the Gospel. Do you make the choice to turn the station or disassociate yourself from those around you or do you continue to consume because it’s easy and familiar? These choices may seem difficult but if you are not aligning yourself with Jesus, then you are rejecting Him. Another aspect of choices has to do with the nudges that God gives us through a message or a song. When we make the decision to brush those nudges off because they require action, when we let fear or doubt set in, or when we just reject the idea altogether, we are rejecting Jesus. Every choice and compromise reflect our priorities and when they are not aligned with Jesus, then we are rejecting Him.

The third topic I want to explore is the aspect of our daily interactions. How many times have you asked a coworker, a friend or someone at church “How are you doing?” without the intention of truly wanting to know. They may reply back by telling you that they are having a rough day or things aren’t that great, but since your true intentions were not to really know, you allow your uncomfortableness to dictate your actions. You often reply back with a “I’m sorry to hear that – I’ll pray for your” before rushing off, often forgetting to pray for them later on. When we turn a blind to the needs of others, even if it is a listening ear, we are choosing self-interest over the teachings of Christ. Jesus exemplified compassion and selflessness, urging us to love our neighbors as ourselves, and to carry each other’s burdens. When we ignore His teachings, we are rejecting Him.

The final topic I want to explore is one of surrender. While our thoughts and actions, as noted above can play a pivotal part as to whether we reject Jesus or not, so does surrendering everything to God. Surrendering everything to God means letting go of our desires, our need for control, and our attachment to things of this world, such as achievements and possessions. It requires us to place our trust entirely in God and His plans, even when we do not fully understand it. The act of surrendering is not a sign of weakness but a profound declaration of our faith and trust in God. When we surrender, we allow God to work through us and transform our lives according to His will. True surrender involves a heart and a mind change. When we refuse to surrender all aspects of our life, we reject Jesus.

What does rejecting Jesus mean to you personally? Do you believe that your online persona aligns with your faith? What are some compromises you make that might be considered rejecting Jesus? Have you ever felt a nudge from God to change something in your life? How did you respond? What are some areas of your life that you find difficult to surrender to God? Please share in the comments.