Consequences of Rejecting Jesus - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) December 29, 2023

We've spent a lot of time talking about accepting the good news that Christ is God's Son who died for us. We've also spent time learning about the need to receive and walk with the Holy Spirit who comes once we believe in Jesus. However, have we ever wondered what happens when a person rejects Jesus? Are there any consequences?

Jesus addressed this in John 12:48 - Whoever rejects Me and refuses to accept My teachings, has one who judges him; the very word that I spoke will judge and condemn him on the last day.

What does this mean? While each person has the right to choose whether they will believe in Jesus and submit to Him, failure to choose Christ means not receiving the Holy Spirit. Without the Holy Spirit, we miss out on godly wisdom and strategy which keeps us out of trouble. The most dire consequence, however, is not getting into heaven. After all, we are told in John 14:6 - Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. And since the Father lives in heaven, rejecting Christ means no access to God's kingdom.

These facts are a reminder of what is at risk. A time will come when all will answer for their choices. This includes the decision to reject Jesus. Nobody, not even Christ, knows when that day will be. The moment is only known to God (Matthew 24:36). So, we must live ready, knowing that judgment will surely come like a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

As we step into a new year, let us be more heaven-minded. Let us truly believe in Jesus and apply our faith by obeying His instructions. To know what those are, we need to study what He taught in the Bible. A little bit each day goes a long way. We must also let the Lord teach us how to submit to the Holy Spirit. That way, the Spirit of God will help us navigate life in a manner that pleases the King of kings. Further, we must allow God to correct us, plus show ourselves some grace when we mess up. In those instances, we must quickly and genuinely repent for sin without allowing guilt to choke out the progress we've made. All while remembering that God will get us to heaven if we cooperate with Him.

And we can't afford to be passive regarding the things of God. They cannot continue to play second-fiddle to what satisfies our fleshly desires. Jesus noted that many will claim to have served Him but yet He won't acknowledge those He classifies as false disciples (Matthew 7:21-23). Such believers are deemed lukewarm and will be rejected on the day of judgment (Revelation 3:16). None of us should risk the consequence of rejecting Jesus through lukewarmness.

As we enter a new year, may we agree with God and thereby be at peace as the word states in Job 22:21 (ESV). May we never reject Jesus no matter the pressures of the world. May we grow in obedience to the Lord our Father, to our Savior Jesus, and to the Holy Spirit, IJN Amen.