I have been looking forward to writing this piece for a few days now. Along the way, I have made others aware of my excitement and as a result, I am sure they are intrigued to know what it’s all about. It’s about being a rebel. “Is that all?” you say. No! This is being a rebel from another perspective.
I am a Christian, I am a law abiding citizen, I am a married woman, I am a graduate, I am a female, but the twist is, I am a rebel. Okay, this may not make sense to you right now, so let me make this more edible for you, so that it’s much easier for you to swallow, understand and appreciate.
Rebel by definition is one that is in rebellion (Webster, 2008) or one fights against the ruling power or rejects accepted conventions of behavior. (Collins, 2008). With these two definitions in mind, I can honestly say that I am one who is rejecting accepted conventions of behavior and refuse to be a part of it. More accurately, like Paul implores us “ …do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2 NKJV).
In what ways should we not conform to this world? Well as Paul spoke in Romans, we shouldn’t conform to anything that is against the will of God (sin). Anything against God and that which can inhibit my inheriting the kingdom of God, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God’. Hey! If God is against it then so am I. The 10 Commandments are a clear indication of what God calls sin.
The sad thing about it is that the society and the world we live in says it’s okay. When its not. These things have caused confusion, pain and sorrow. And that hurts God, because He has provided a way for you to avoid all these things and because He loves us. [“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whomever believed in him may not be lost but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV).] In that same chapter to the Corinthians, Paul says “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (Romans 6: 11). I am washed and I am sanctified. I am not sinless, but I strive to sin less only by the help of Jesus and you too can be.
If you’re a Christian or claim to be one, understand that you can’t ride the fence. You either are against God or for Him. Which side are you on? Are you a rebel against what society calls normal and to what God calls sin?
I am a rebel and not a conformist. They say I am weak because I submit to my husband. But God said that I should (Ephesians 5:22). Peer pressure says that you are not “cool” and mock you if you don’t keep your virginity until marriage. I am holier than thou if I don’t drink and expose myself to other social antics. Well the world and it all stands for needs to understand I am a Christian before I am anything else.
No, I am not perfect, but I am not conforming to what is deemed as normal. Gossip is not normal, mocking is not normal to name a few. Salvation has allowed me to see through a clear lens. Prior to this period in my life, I agreed with the masses, and swam with the waves but today I wade against the collective worldly standards. My objective (and so should others who say they are Christians) is to give God the glory, that is why he made us.
I am a Christian, I am a law abiding citizen, I am a married woman, I am a graduate, I am a female, but the twist is, I am a rebel. Okay, this may not make sense to you right now, so let me make this more edible for you, so that it’s much easier for you to swallow, understand and appreciate.
Rebel by definition is one that is in rebellion (Webster, 2008) or one fights against the ruling power or rejects accepted conventions of behavior. (Collins, 2008). With these two definitions in mind, I can honestly say that I am one who is rejecting accepted conventions of behavior and refuse to be a part of it. More accurately, like Paul implores us “ …do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2 NKJV).
In what ways should we not conform to this world? Well as Paul spoke in Romans, we shouldn’t conform to anything that is against the will of God (sin). Anything against God and that which can inhibit my inheriting the kingdom of God, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God’. Hey! If God is against it then so am I. The 10 Commandments are a clear indication of what God calls sin.
The sad thing about it is that the society and the world we live in says it’s okay. When its not. These things have caused confusion, pain and sorrow. And that hurts God, because He has provided a way for you to avoid all these things and because He loves us. [“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, so that whomever believed in him may not be lost but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV).] In that same chapter to the Corinthians, Paul says “And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God” (Romans 6: 11). I am washed and I am sanctified. I am not sinless, but I strive to sin less only by the help of Jesus and you too can be.
If you’re a Christian or claim to be one, understand that you can’t ride the fence. You either are against God or for Him. Which side are you on? Are you a rebel against what society calls normal and to what God calls sin?
I am a rebel and not a conformist. They say I am weak because I submit to my husband. But God said that I should (Ephesians 5:22). Peer pressure says that you are not “cool” and mock you if you don’t keep your virginity until marriage. I am holier than thou if I don’t drink and expose myself to other social antics. Well the world and it all stands for needs to understand I am a Christian before I am anything else.
No, I am not perfect, but I am not conforming to what is deemed as normal. Gossip is not normal, mocking is not normal to name a few. Salvation has allowed me to see through a clear lens. Prior to this period in my life, I agreed with the masses, and swam with the waves but today I wade against the collective worldly standards. My objective (and so should others who say they are Christians) is to give God the glory, that is why he made us.
This piece is inspired by the Holy Spirit, but motivated by Lecrae’s “Rebel”, the first track on his 3rd album. The track intelligently states that if you want to be a rebel, read your bible, because no one else is doing it. In other words, do what is not the norm, but drive towards Jesus and his Holiness. Christ died for our sins, so I am no longer bound by the ways of this world. Understand that the world’s joy is temporal but God’s is eternal.
Be a rebel, make heaven your home and accept Christ as your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:8-9). So you are no longer bound by the harmful ways of this world.
I am a rebel are you???
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Be a rebel, make heaven your home and accept Christ as your Lord and Savior (Romans 10:8-9). So you are no longer bound by the harmful ways of this world. "
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is, BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO SIS!!!! Now, articles like this one, I can read daily. God is talking to you and leading you almost to you purpose in life. It's not a decision that you have to make with publishing this article, it's obeying Him. People need to hear things like this, Christians and nonChristians. Society is so screwed up that they are going by each other, and 10% of us making our decision to follow Him. A article like this will empower the other 90% to subject to Christ Jesus and leave this worldly behavior alone because all it will lead to is death and destructions. Is it ok if I email it to Warren? Oh yeah, mentioning Lecrae is a A-plus.
Wow, this article/essay is really good. I really enjoy the topic (obviously, I would enjoy it – I really love it, since I love the message you present, and I love Lecrae’s album).
ReplyDeleteI thought it was creative how Lecrae presented the way a Christian lives their lifestyle by not conforming to things of the world as truly being a rebel, which it is.
Then with this article you are breaking that explanation down even more and showing how rebelling against the norms of society is the only way for a Christian or a person to live for God, by following His will. Very nice
Amen sis. Excellent article. Very thought provoking, Keep it UP!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good article, and true reflection of what a great person you are. Not only that but what a great leader and example you are to others.
ReplyDelete