When Those Around Me Have Rejected God, How Does That Affect Me?

This one is for the person who is the only Christian in their family, or one of a few faithful Christians in a secular workplace or school. For myself, I am returning to work in a few days into a near-crisis staffing and funding situation in my school district which employs me. I've been freaking out about the situation for the past 24 hours, (instead of praying about it)... and I was talking to my husband about it this morning. He said, "Remember that the Lord helps the righteous even in those type of situations. Pray about it and He will help you even in the midst of that situation." Truth and hope were spoken to me, and I immediately felt better. "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." (2 Chron 16:9 NASB). Then I remembered about this post I researched and wrote nearly 3 years ago...when Jesus was able to heal a few among the many unbelievers in one town. More of the post is below.....


Let's begin with Mark 6:1-3.  It tells about a time when Jesus himself encountered a town of people who took offense to him and his teachings.

Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? ....

And they took offense at him.

Now let's move down to Mark 6:5-6 to discover the results in this situation. 

He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.


So what was the result in this unbelieving, rejecting town -- Jesus' hometown? 

Jesus could not do any miracles there. Verse 6 explains he couldn't help people who needed help,  due to their lack of faith.

However, there is still a positive aspect in this account. Did you see it? The positive message is this:

Jesus still healed some of those within this unbelieving, accusing community. Verse 5 tells us that Jesus was able to “lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.” Even in the midst of the culture of scoffers, Jesus still was able to heal and help those who did have faith.

This example shows us that, even if we are living in the midst of an unbelieving community or culture, we can still experience the Lord's work in our own lives based on our own personal faith and trust. 

The ability to receive a personal miracle from Christ is based on our own individual direct response, our individual acceptance, and our personal trust in Him.

What everyone around us is doing doesn't matter. We are not punished nor neglected based on the acts of others around us. We are noticed by Him and assisted by Him,  based only on our individual response to Him,  in spite of surrounding influences. 

Application



Are there any external factors in your life or situation that you think are keeping God from working in your life? For example, are you a Christian within a family of unbelievers? Do you ever blame unbelievers for difficulties in your life? I've heard common sentiments spoken such as, “We are all going to 'hell in a hand basket,'" or "This country will no longer be blessed by God because the culture, as a whole, has rejected Him, and even thrown Him out of our schools and institutions." 

Well guess what?   You are probably right! 



It is likely that the “country as a whole” will not be blessed by God in such a situation, when the majority of the country's citizens seem to no longer have reverence nor active faith in God.

But that doesn't mean that you as an individual are also excluded from God's help and grace! 

Romans 3:3-4 asks and answers, "What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? Not at all!"

God can pull you out of a godless situation and refresh your life.   

God can also bless your life alone, even though everyone around you doesn't trust Him nor live according to His principles. 

Don't be so concerned or angry with the culture around you. Make sure you are trusting God and following Him.

Write these words in a journal and review them whenever you are frustrated by the world's ways:  “My personal experience of God's works depends only on me; it depends only on whether or not I come to Him with my concerns in faith.”

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If you would like to learn simple, practical ways to walk with God every single day, then you would really enjoy Closer to God: Simple Methods, Starting Today

If you want to learn more deeply and fully about what Jesus taught, then you would enjoy He Called: 56 Daily Studies and Reflections with the Words of Christ. There are also 14 videos that go along with this book on this blog here: Teachings of Jesus videos

The author also interacts with her readers on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/GospelLifeBooks

Author's other books can  be found at: https://www.amazon.com/Sherry-Elaine-Evans