BE A REBEL!!

What is a rebel??? Dictionary.com defines the word rebel to be a person who resists any authority, control, or tradition. Well, we have a lot of those in today's day and age don't we?!? People who refuse to fall into the definition of "normal" and "orderly." But when most of us think of a rebel we think of a teenager who runs away from home, or some huge pop star who says certain things that just should not be said on the radio, television, or just plain anywhere. And although those people are Rebels in their own sinful way, our friend Jesus was too a rebel when He was alive. When Jesus began his ministry, He was the scandal of that day and age. Everything that the Jews had been taught was being thrown in their face and their world was becoming topsy-turvy. In that day and age, the Jews looked to the Pharisees and Sadducees for spiritual guidance. But when Jesus came along, he not only shunned the outrageous practices of the Pharisees and Sadducees, but he taught new and different things to the Jews. All their life Jews were taught "an eye for an eye", but Jesus taught them to forgive and forget. (Matthew 5:38)The men had been taught to treat their women like property, but Jesus made women a man's equal. (Ephesians 5:33)The Jews were taught to stay away from Gentiles and sinners, but Jesus befriended them and ministered to them.(John 4) Jews were instructed to rest on the Sabbath day, but Jesus healed the sick. (Matt. 12: 9-14) Jesus didn't do what society thought was right at the time. He rebelled against the socials graces and only did His Father's will. I would say that Jesus was the ultimate rebel. He was a rebel for God. Because of His rebellion, you and I can be saved from our sins. Because of His rebellion, you and I have a hope of one day joining Him in heaven. But having said all of that, we too can be rebellious for God and our Savior Jesus Christ. How can we do that?!? Well the choice is really up to you. But fitting in is not an option. A rebel never fits in. Show people that Christ lives in you. Be a servant to others, spread the gospel, stand up for what is right, forgive others, talk to someone you wouldn't regularly talk to. But never fit in with the world. (2 Cor. 6:14) Be a rebel.

-Linzee