When You Are “Cast Out”

When You Are “Cast Out”

“And they cast him out.” —John 9:34

    Have you been shunned by your family because of your testimony of Christ? Have some of your “so-called” friends “un-friended” you because you are a Christian?  Have you lost your job because of your love for Jesus?   Have you been kicked out of an organization because of your zeal for Christ? 

    How do you handle being an “outcast” or ostracized?   Consider these thoughts when you find yourself kicked-out of a group. 

1. It could be a good thing!   The man in John 9 was healed of his blindness.  Why was he “cast out?”  Answer: For speaking the truth (John 9:22)!   He was “cast out” from a toxic group of unbelievers who cared nothing about what Jesus did for him. If you find yourself “cast out,” ask yourself, “Do these people really care about what the Lord has done in my life?” 
2. It could be an opportunity for the Lord to take you up.  Consider what happened when this man was “cast out” by the Pharisees?   Jesus heard about it and came to him (John 9:35). The Bible says, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up” (Ps 27:10). [See also Isaiah 56:8; 2 Corinthians 4:9.] This is what God did for Jerusalem when it was “cast out” into an open field (Ezek. 16:4 -14).
3. It could liberating. Maybe God has something better for you.  Ask yourself: “Is this group hindering me from doing God’s will?” As long as you remain in a group that is dedicated to it’s own ideals, God cannot move you forward to better things. Consider Joesph being cast out by his brothers. God used the casting out of Joesph by his brethren as a means to fulfill the dreams God gave him. Those dreams would never become a reality without Joseph being cast out. 
4. It could be a way for you to fulfill the will of God.  For example: Moses was “cast out” into the Nile River (Acts 7:21). That saved his life and God eventually use him to lead His people out of Egypt.  Consider backslidden Jonah. He fled from God’s will by boarding a ship going in the opposite direction God wanted him.  The mariners cast out Jonah from the their ship. Then Jonah went on fulfill God’s will to preach in Nineveh (Jonah 1:15). 

     When you find yourself “cast out,” remember what Jesus said, “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake” (Luke 6:22).  It could be one of the best things to happen to you!