What other scriptures warn against being "rejected" by God? Facing the Possibility of Rejection God’s love is steadfast, yet Scripture repeatedly warns that persistent unbelief and disobedience place a person—or even an entire nation—under His rejection. Below is a sampling of passages that sound that alarm. Old Testament Warnings • 1 Samuel 15:23 – “Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.” • Hosea 4:6 – “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as priests.” • Psalm 78:59 – “When God heard, He was furious, and He utterly rejected Israel.” • Jeremiah 6:30 – “They are called rejected silver, because the LORD has rejected them.” • Isaiah 1:15 – “When you spread out your hands in prayer, I hide My eyes from you… I will not listen.” • Deuteronomy 32:19–20 – “The LORD saw it and spurned them… ‘I will hide My face from them.’ ” • 2 Kings 17:20 – “The LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel and afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers.” • Lamentations 5:22 – “But You have utterly rejected us; You are exceedingly angry with us.” New Testament Warnings • Matthew 7:22–23 – “Many will say to Me on that day… And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me.’” • Luke 13:25–27 – “He will answer, ‘I do not know where you are from. Depart from Me, all you evildoers.’” • John 15:6 – “If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers.” • Romans 1:28 – “Since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a depraved mind.” • Romans 11:20–22 – “Do not be arrogant, but stand in awe; for if God did not spare the natural branches, He will not spare you either.” • 1 Corinthians 9:27 – “I discipline my body… so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” • 2 Corinthians 13:5 – “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith.” • 2 Timothy 2:12 – “If we deny Him, He will also deny us.” • Titus 1:16 – “They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him… unfit for any good deed.” • Hebrews 6:4–6 – “It is impossible… to renew them again to repentance, since they are crucifying the Son of God all over again.” • Hebrews 10:26–27, 31 – “For if we deliberately keep on sinning… a fearful expectation of judgment… ‘It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.’” • 1 Peter 2:7–8 – “The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone… a stone of stumbling.” • Revelation 3:16 – “Because you are lukewarm… I am about to spit you out of My mouth.” What Leads to Divine Rejection • Rejecting God’s Word (1 Samuel 15:23) • Persisting in unbelief or idolatry (Hosea 4:6; Romans 1:28) • Hypocrisy—professing faith without obedience (Titus 1:16) • Lukewarm, half-hearted devotion (Revelation 3:16) • Willful, ongoing sin after receiving knowledge of the truth (Hebrews 10:26) Safeguards Against Rejection • Cling to Scripture—believe and obey it wholeheartedly. • Remain in Christ through daily fellowship and repentance (John 15:5–10). • Examine yourself regularly (2 Colossians 13:5) and stay humble (Romans 11:20). • Persevere in faith and good works, empowered by the Spirit (Hebrews 6:11–12). Takeaway Truths • God is patient, yet His patience has limits (Romans 2:4–5). • Rejection is not arbitrary; it follows persistent rejection of Him. • In Christ, acceptance is sure—but only for those who continue in faith (Colossians 1:22–23). |