Rebel - noun
A person who rises in opposition or armed resistance against an established government or ruler.
Rebellion - noun
The act or process of resisting authority, control, or convention.
Out of all the words in the English language, this one has really been bothering me lately. I've heard it spoken through different circles...
"It's just the teenage rebellion talking."
"They're in a rebel phase."
"I know they're only doing it for the sake of rebellion."
And it's NEVER in a positive context. To the people of this world, the word "rebel" almost always belongs next to words like criminal, delinquent, trouble-maker, and more. We might think of druggies, partiers, thieves...anyone who chooses to live life on the wild and crazy (and sometimes less than legal) side. They rise up in bold opposition against the status quo. Whether that's simply through unique hair colors, multitudes of piercings in strange places, tattoos of every shape and kind, or through the more extreme channels, they will find a way to get the word out that they are their own, and they will not be ignored. Did I hit enough stereotypes? I tried to nail as many as I could, so how'd I do? I hope I did well, because I'm about to flip those stereotypes on their heads.
How many times, when you hear the word "rebel," have you thought of the word "Christian?"
Just think about it though. Of all the above things I mentioned, how many of them have become normalized in our society? Drugs are being legalized in certain areas of the world. Alcohol is becoming an adulthood right of passage in families, and underage drinking is just something you do, even supported by some parents. Stealing happens every single day. Doing the "wild" thing just means your enjoying your "freedom." Piercings, tattoos, and crazy hair colors used to be the rebel trademark, but now they're not even that weird. It's just a style choice. We've even come to the point where pre-marital physicality is a "necessary step" in finding out if a relationship works (which is a total and utter lie, by the way).
All of these things that people, young or not, are doing just to prove that they don't fit the mold. That they're different, and aren't held down by the rules and expectations of how things should be. To all of these people, I have a very important question.
If it's normal, and everyone is doing it, than how is it rebellious?
I'm not, by any means, saying that I support these situations. In fact, the exact opposite is true. But honestly, if everyone is taking part in a sinful act, it shouldn't be something you do to boost your "rebel pride".
News flash: By living in the dark and opposing the rules, we are actually doing exactly what society expects of us. We're not rebels, we're just 2nd rate followers caving to peer pressure.
Breaking the rules is not a new idea. In fact, people have been breaking the rules for a very long time. This shouldn't be surprising to any of us. So then why do we act as though breaking the rules is such a new, genius idea that we just came up with?
And then we get hit with consequences and we get mad. Why? History repeats itself, why weren't we expecting this?
Back on topic though...
If you consider all that I've just said, who are the real rebels? Most of the rebels that society has labeled are clearly fakes, so who does the title truly belong to?
The real rebels think outside of the box that our culture has laid out for them. They can't be tamed. They are unstoppable. Their authority doesn't come from the government, or the leaders of the world. They're mold breakers, big dreamers, and the keepers of the only true freedom that exists. They don't care what the world thinks, nor do they listen to what is said about them. They walk the narrow path, where very few have gone before them. Their sort of rebellion often leads to standing alone, but even just one of these rebels on their own is more dangerous than a million of the other, and they have been considered dangerous since the beginning of time. They're the most unique people you will ever meet, and they often go to great lengths to fight for their cause. Some have been tortured and killed for their crimes. Yet they have more joy than most people could ever comprehend. In fact, these criminals are often the nicest people you'll meet. They come armed and ready to defend, but not with a gun or a blade. The armor of these rebels looks very different.
'For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.' Ephesians 6:12
'But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;' Matthew 5:44
'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.' Colossians 3:23
Kindness is unique. Working with heart is rare. Genuine compassion is dying out. Choosing life and faith is different. Responding to hate with love is radical. Living with joy is becoming unheard of. And following Jesus with complete abandon?
That's what identifies the Real Rebels...
And that's why I'm striving to be one of them.
Our rebellion is not against man, but against the spiritual forces that tempt and convince man to make dark decisions. And, even more so, the spiritual forces that spread unending lies, convincing man that dark decisions are actually leading them to the light. Even though these forces are everywhere, they walk unknown to all but a few. They are dangerous, and yet are easily accepted on a widespread, global level because of the false freedom they present.
Only those who have rebelled, who have turned from the societal norm of darkness and personally tasted the light, know that these forces exist. Only these rebels have experienced true freedom, and all the life it brings to each day. These rebels bow down, not to the world and it's many masters, but to the only true royalty that exists.
One man. Fully human, fully God. The original rebel of our kind. He was hated by authorities. Despised by religious leaders. Unlike other "criminals", he was peaceful. Yet the government leaders arrested him, beat him, and put him to death. Jesus, killed for his cause. But even after his heart stopped beating, he continued to resist what was considered normal...
Because, after three days, our leader even rebelled against death.
After this, his followers could not be stopped. Threatened, they stood even taller. Tortured, their faith grew bolder. In prison they still could not be silenced. And over 2,000 years later, this rebellion still grows.
Most consider freedom the right to indulge, to gain, to go forth without consequence.
We consider freedom the right to abstain, to serve, to remain in the beauty of an ever-growing soul of conviction and kindness.
Most of us do not look like rebels. We are the quiet observers. The gentle listeners. The sacrificial servants. But inside we are lions. We are hurricanes, and wildfires that cannot be tamed. All of us have been broken before, and it's the glory of pure, untainted grace that pushes us forward. Love is our battle cry, and faith is the ground on which we stand.
We know what it feels like to run, and we will not run any longer, for our God has granted us the strength to stand. We each have a calling; something that breaks our hearts. This call guides our steps. Often we don't even know where we're being lead, but we walk just the same because we know that the only true freedom comes when we deny the world and follow the sound of our leaders voice. Even when he is silent, we follow still.
We follow because we've seen miracles. Mountains have moved before our eyes. Oceans have parted just to give us a path. Eyes have been opened, and so have hearts. Battles in which we were outnumbered, and the odds were stacked against us, suddenly come to an end with our enemies fleeing the field. And all of it can only be explained by one word. One name.
Jesus.
This isn't to say that we don't still have fears. Actually, we still have many fears. But with all of that to live for, and all of the glory we've witnessed, why would we serve any other master? Especially when our own master is familiar with every part of us, including the very darkest depths of our hearts, and still loves us enough to joyfully claim us as sons and daughters. Yes, we have fears, but why should we let that keep us from following the only master who gives us the strength and opportunity to conquer them?
We are the Real Rebels. The Revolutionaries that aspire to be more than what this fallen world has offered us. And though we might seem weak, we are stronger than our own ability because our God allows it to be so. Our ability is not determined by our limitations, but by the very hands that placed each individual star in the sky. We are considered dangerous because we have seen the truth. Though we walk in peace, and go forth with only the intention of sharing the love, compassion, and grace that has provided our salvation, we are still considered a poison. We are despised because we cannot be stopped. The only one who determines our steps is our God. We can't be controlled.
And we will not be silenced.
