John Eckhardt | 7.22.2016 | CHARISMAMAG.COM
When we teach that God accepts all people no matter what, we are not accurately reflecting His standards as they are set out in His Word. The Bible records many stories that reveal God’s rejection of certain behaviors and lifestyles.
In Genesis 3 we see that Adam, the first man God created, was rejected by God for disobeying His command to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Adam ate of the tree and was cast out of the Garden of Eden as a result.
Next up was Cain, who offered a sacrifice the Lord rejected. Instead of correcting his mistake, Cain became jealous of his brother Abel because God accepted Abel’s sacrifice. Fully manifesting a spirit of rejection, Cain allowed anger and bitterness to drive him to kill Abel (Gen. 4:3–10).
Because Abraham and Sarah did not want to wait for God’s promise to be fulfilled, they took matters into their own hands. Their actions led to a whole people group being rejected generation after generation.
Ishmael, conceived out of an unwillingness to wait on God, was also rejected by God (Gen. 21:8–21). Abraham and Sarah had tried to help God by using Sarah’s maid, Hagar, as a surrogate. (See Genesis 16:1–4.) But this was not God’s plan, and He did not need their help. Therefore, Ishmael was rejected as the promised son. Understand that it wasn’t that God didn’t love Ishmael, because He did, just as He loves us all. It was simply the fact that Ishmael was not the one God promised to Abraham.
Excerpted from John Eckhardt’s book, Destroying the Spirit of Rejection (Charisma House, 2016). To purchase the book, click here.
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John Eckhardt is the overseer of Crusaders Ministries in Chicago, IL, the founder of IMPACT Network, and the spiritual father of many. He is an internationally acclaimed speaker and has ministered in over 70 nations. He is also a very prominent author, with well over 40 books under his writing belt, including best-sellers, “Prayers that Rout Demons” and “Prayers that Break Curses.”
“Destroying the Spirit of Rejection” is Eckhardt’s latest work. This subject couldn’t be any more universal because we’ve all experienced the heinous sting of rejection, either as the accuser or the abuser. This subject also couldn’t be more prevalent to the body of Christ because many are living with the unhealed scars of rejection and wounding others. Lastly, this subject couldn’t be more timely, because rejection divides and the church can no longer afford to be divided due to rejection issues.
The world needs us.
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