How to share the Gospel despite rejection

You may be familiar with people’s rejection and their nasty comments when you share the Gospel. Yes, it hurts. We don’t want other people to disapprove of us or even exclude us from a community. How should we share the Gospel despite rejection? Let’s look at a few Bible passages first:

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. James 1:2-4

The Greek term πειρασμός that the NKJV translates „trials“ can also mean „testing“ or „temptation“. 

Surprisingly, James considers it pure joy when we’re confronted with trials. Peter writes about the same topic. We should rejoice when we get mocked because we belong to Christ (1. Peter 4:13).

Jesus himself puts it similarly in the sermon on the mount. When we’re persecuted because we follow him, the kingdom of heaven is ours (Matthew 5:10-11). 

Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:12

We’re in good company when we get rejected for living for Christ because the prophets got persecuted as well. In Switzerland, where I live, persecution isn’t that big of a problem. The government lets us live our faith. But I’m aware of many areas worldwide where Christians suffer greatly from persecution. Even if you’re living in a country where you’re pretty safe as a Christian, disapproval hurts. Unfortunately, many people are afraid to share the Gospel because they don’t want to experience rejection.

But why should we rejoice when people despise us for following Jesus? James tells us that the testing of our faith produces patience (1:3). The goal is to become perfect (1:4) as Jesus himself wants us to be perfect:

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48

Even though the temptation and trials are uncomfortable, they sanctify us. We grow in our faith to be able to live fully for God. Through testing, we get transformed into the image of Christ. That’s why we can rejoice if others reject or disapprove of us. 

While pursuing a degree after my apprenticeship (before I studied Theology) we had to give a presentation about a book. I chose the Bible of course, lol. I remember standing before the class announcing my subject. My classmates’ body language revealed surprise and disapproval but also some curiosity. Anyway, I felt very exposed and uncomfortable when I introduced the Bible to them.

Do you know this phenomenon where we tend to make everything about ourselves? When two colleagues at work whisper to each other and maybe even look in your direction, you assume they talk about you. When you see an acquaintance in the supermarket and they don’t greet you, you think they dislike you. We think it’s about us while our colleagues at work talk about a secret project and the acquaintance in the supermarket probably just didn’t see you.

This phenomenon can easily be overserved when you talk about Jesus. When people disapprove of you for sharing the Gospel they actually reject God, not you. Their real problem is with God, and you just happen to represent him. 

Here’s a brief biblical example: 

In Samuel 8, the Israelites go to Samuel to ask him for a king. He immediately inquires God about their request. Here’s God’s answer:

And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 1. Samuel 8:7

The Israelites don’t reject Samuel but God as their king.  

In the same way, people reject you for being a believer because they don’t want to have anything to do with Jesus. 

My former mentor once told me that when people disapprove of us we can shake it off and tell God in prayer: „Their rejection belongs to you, God.“

You can rejoice when you get tested because you can take a step back and know that their mean words don’t target you. In the same way, as you make the whispering colleagues at work and the acquaintance in the supermarket about you, sharing the Gospel is not really about you. Likewise, when some of my classmates disapproved of my presentation, their rejection was actually aimed at God. 

It’s never about us. It’s always about God.

That’s what it means for me to grow into the likeness of Christ in that context: To realize that it’s not about me, my reputation, or my image. I’m just a servant of God, hidden in Christ. My ego doesn’t stand a chance if I want to live wholeheartedly for God. I’m free and I can rejoice because I can take a step back and let Jesus handle people’s disapproval. 

Read more:

Why miracles are not enough for people to believe in God

When God doesn’t answer your questions

10 prayers for godly friendships

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