Handling Rejection of Lost Loved Ones

"Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?"  2 Cor. 2:15-16 

What Paul was saying is that the Gospel is not merely information that one can accept or dismiss. It is a living thing that draws some people near and pushes others away. God recognizes that many people who hear His words will reject them, to their own destruction. As He told the prophet Ezekiel:

"But when I give you a message, I will loosen your tongue and let you speak. Then you will say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says!’ Those who choose to listen will listen, but those who refuse will refuse, for they are rebels." Ezekiel 3:27

I'm sure you've been there, time after time. You've tried to convey to a long-time friend or loved one the significance of the blood sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, and they just don't get it. You feel responsible for being able to convey the love of Jesus to this person, because you are the only follower of Jesus they might ever know.

Perhaps they are involved in a Word-twisting cult, or have ideas about the "narrow-mindedness" of believers. Take heart, you are not alone. We all have felt the rejection of long-time friends and loved ones. They sarcastically call you "holier than thou," and "self righteous," although you never did a thing to present that image. The Bible says that these things are expected.

You cannot change their mind until they are ready to have their mind changed. Their view on who the Messiah is and why true believers reject the things of the world, will come to them in due time. Their rejection of the Bible as being the Word of God is their blind spot, and Truth won't seep in until the blinders are willingly taken off.

There will come a time coming soon when we will all stand in the midst of the storm. Our lives will be like a lighthouse standing on the immoveable Rock. The waves will pound and the winds will howl, but our light will shine brighter than ever in this darkness. Perhaps only then will the blinders be lifted.