Open Hearts, Not Forced Doors: Ministry and Rejection — Leading like Jesus.
“For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” — Luke 9:56
Mercy over judgment
Some accepted Jesus, while others did not. Luke, in the ninth chapter, tells quite an interesting story in regard to Jesus’s presence nd his disciples being unwelcomed in certain places. They set out for Jerusalem, pass through a Samaritan village, but the villagers do not want Him there. In response, two of His disciples, James and John, ask if they should call down fire from heaven to destroy the entire village. But Jesus rebukes them and reminds them that His mission was of mercy and compassion, not judgment. They then continue on to another village. Quite a powerful story that shows His commitment to His purpose - “For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” He refused vengeance in favor of grace and understanding. He showed love and forgiveness, even in the face of rejection.
I believe God has brought this to my attention because we live in a culture where people have become increasingly self-centered and entitled. This spirit of entitlement has even affected some of the men and women God has called. Many of us approach ministry with a spirit of entitlement. We think God has called and anointed us, therefore everyone should accept our message or follow our directives. But, even Jesus, the all-powerful Son of God, faced resistance and unbelief.
Building Trust in Ministry
In his letter to the Colossians, Paul asks believers to pray that God would open doors for him and his companions to share the gospel (Colossians 4:3). In another instance, he urges the Corinthians to open their hearts to them, making a bold statement: “We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one” (2 Corinthians 7:2). The integrity and sincerity of Paul and his companions in their ministry helped build a relationship of trust with the believers in Corinth. People are more likely to listen to and follow someone they trust. Paul operated with the understanding that it is God who opens the door for us to minister. In the book of Acts, it is said of Lydia, “The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message” (Acts 16:14). For us to minister effectively, hearts must first be opened—and that is something only God can do. Only He can open hearts.
“We have exploited no one.”
Many people have left Christian organizations or churches feeling exploited or taken advantage of. That kind of experience can be deeply distressing. I’ve seen many passionate Christian ministers, including myself, become discouraged when it felt like they were valued only for their gifts and talents. I’ve also witnessed pastors and preachers respond with manipulation, anger, or impatience toward certain church members or volunteers when things didn’t go as expected.
Leaders must remember that these individuals, whether worship leaders, ushers, or anyone else, are, first and foremost, souls. They each have their own will, emotions, intellect, and personal struggles. Many are carrying heavy responsibilities while navigating their own spiritual journeysThey are God’s children, each working out their own salvation.
Looking closely at Jesus' relationship with His disciples, we see how He patiently and faithfully cared for their souls. In John 15, He calls them His friends. He shared such an intimate friendship with them. He fervently prayed for Peter’s faith when Satan sought to attack him. His profound impact on His disciples was so great that today the world is filled with believers because of their testimony. All of us who believe form a global community of Christ’s followers built on the Apostles' witness. If we tend to the souls, then the ministry will thrive on its own.
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up
To truly minister to others and touch their souls like Jesus did, we need the power and wisdom of the Holy Spirit. “The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.” (2 Corinthians 3:4-6). Knowledge alone cannot build lives; if we want to truly impact people, we must understand the power of love, patience, and forbearance. “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1 Corinthians 8:1)
Too often, I encounter people who are deeply fascinated by the pursuit of knowledge, eager to impress with their reasoning and be known for their intellect. If our goal is simply to build a name or a title for ourselves and impress, accumulating knowledge may seem important to us. But we will not impact lives, strengthen marriages, and build deep, meaningful relationships, and strong communities unless we understand the importance of cultivating love and humility. 1 Corinthians 13 reminds us that knowledge will fade, but love will endure forever. Those who love fulfill the entire law. Love fulfills the law ! (Romans 13:8-10)
Jesus’ experience of being rejected in some places reminds us that not everyone will accept our message or ministry, no matter how genuine or divinely inspired it may be. His response to rejection was not anger or retaliation, but grace, mercy, and continued commitment to saving lives. Ministers must avoid that sense of entitlement and instead adopt a spirit of humility and patience. True ministers trust that it is God who opens hearts and doors. When we focus on love and integrity, we build trust and reflect Christ's own compassionate approach. Let this be a reminder that true ministry thrives when it is led by the Spirit and rooted in love, even in the face of resistance.