Are you rejecting God’s will for your Life?

³⁰But the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law rejected God’s purpose for themselves and refused to be baptized by John. LUKE 7:30.

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his is the report about a class of people in John’s and Jesus’ days. They were called the Pharisees. While John received God’s call and was baptizing in the River Jordan, crowds trooped in daily to be baptized by him. Among the crowds were tax collectors and people who were regarded as the most sinful people of the time. They were being baptized and born again into God’s eternal plan for mankind. But the Pharisees rejected this plan of God for their lives, and refused to be baptized by John. They refused to be born again!

Let us understand that the Pharisees were no ordinary men. They belonged to a group of people who believed they were Abraham’s children. They considered themselves very holy and religious. They were actually patiently awaiting the fulfillment of the prophesy about the coming of the Saviour, but when he came, they rejected him. They were important people in the religious circle. They were teachers and custodians of the Law of Moses. If it were today, we would classify them in the class of the Bishops, General Overseers, Professors, Presidents, Governors, and all people of great influence. They were highly educated, civilized and enlightened.

There are reasons why they rejected God’s purpose. Let us talk about their pride. They were proud people who exuded in the feeling that they were Abraham’s children and did not need any salvation. In fact, on one occasion, they engaged Jesus in an argument. The whole concept of admitting that they were sinners and required salvation was too degrading for them to accept. On this occasion, after Jesus had talked to them about the need for them to be set free by the truth of God, they queried, “We are the descendants of Abraham and we have never been anybody’s slaves. What do you mean, then, by saying, ‘You will be set free’?” JOHN 8:33. The argument continued and Jesus made it clear to them that they were only fooling themselves. “You are the children of your father, the Devil, and you want to follow your father’s desires” (V.44). 

It hurts the Kingdom of God that even today, there are still people who are rejecting God’s will for their lives. They have heard God’s call on them many times, but they rationalize: “I give tithes every month; I do charity to the underprivileged; I do not engage in sexual immorality, and I fight for justice for the oppressed. I am holy. I do not need any Jesus to save me. I am alright this way.” Their thought pattern is like that of the Pharisee who went to pray and used the time to inform God of the extent of his holiness. They miss the point!

Again, they rejected God’s will because it would require them to give up their influence and authority in the lives of the people and redirect their followers onto the authority of Jesus. They didn’t like this kind of salvation that embraced everyone. They did not want to give up their oppressive hold on the souls of the people. Today too, some people are rejecting God’s will for their lives because they don’t want to let go of certain things. They don’t want to let go of ungodly relationships. They don’t want to let go of their personal pride, influence and standing among men. So they keep rejecting God’s will. 

You do not have all the time in the world to decide. To the Pharisees, John gave a warning, “The axe is ready to cut down the trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire” LUKE 3:9. The fire of God’s anger awaits all who reject His will for their lives. Jesus wept with frustration over Jerusalem on account of this rejection. “Jerusalem, Jerusalem! How many times have I wanted to put my arms round all your people, just as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me” MAT 23: 37. So, “They will completely destroy you and the people within your walls. . . because you did not recognize the time when God came to save you!” LUKE 119:44. Listen to what God did to a man in the Old Testament who rejected God’s will for his life. “The LORD Almighty told me to go to Shebna, the manager of the royal household, and say to him, ‘Who do you think you are? ‘You may be important, but the LORD will pick you up and throw you away.” ISA 22:15-17 

Now, what is God’s will for your life? “Jesus answered, ‘What God wants you to do is to believe in the one he sent. “For what my Father wants is that all who see the Son and believe in him should have eternal life” JOHN 6:29&40.

My friend, you cannot escape this matter. You have rejected God’s will for your life for too long. You have given too many excuses. Now is the time for action. I want you to talk to God now and ask Him to receive you into His Kingdom in order that you will begin to live according to His purpose.