THE DIFFERENCE - SICKNESS AND REBELLION
Rebellion
is a sin not a sickness, and there is a vast contrast between the two.
Sick is defined as:
affected by physical or mental illness, not
well or healthy.
While Rebellion is: defying or resisting some established authority, government, or tradition; insubordinate; inclined to rebel.
A sick
person is in need of help and cooperate with authority, but a rebellious person likes to challenge authority
and break the rules every now and encourages others to do join them.
Let’s take
a look at a conversation with Jesus concerning the sick:
Luke 5:25-31 (KJV)
And after
these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the
receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.
And he left
all, rose up, and followed him.
And Levi
made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of
publicans and of others that sat down with them.
But their
scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and
drink with publicans and sinners?
And Jesus
answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they
that are sick.
Jesus was
not justifying His connection with sinners, no was he saying to condone
unrighteousness, but was contrasting the difference with rebellious critics
versus people who needed to be made whole. Rebellion is the total
opposite. It is defiance, disrespect and
disobedience.
Scripture of Reflection:
Nehemiah 9:17King James Version (KJV)
And refused
to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but
hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to
their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow
to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.
God is a God slow to anger and of great kindness but abhors rebellion.
TODAY'S FOCUS: REBELLIOUS PRACTICES AND REWARDS
There are various forms of rebellion outlined in scripture- We will discuss a few for today's discussion:
Rebellion against authority is
rebellion against God:
Deuteronomy 31:27 (KJV)
For I know
thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this
day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death?
Joshua 22:22 (KJV)
The Lord God of gods, the Lord God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel
he shall know; if it be in rebellion, or if in transgression against the Lord, (save us not this day,)
Rebellion is comparable to
witchcraft:
1 Samuel 15:22-23 (KJV)
And Samuel
said, Hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings
and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than
the fat of rams.
For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as
iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Rebellion is a practice of evil
people:
Proverbs 17:11 (KJV)
An evil man
seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Isaiah 65:2 (KJV)
I have spread out my hands all the day unto a
rebellious people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own
thoughts
Rebellion results in the loss of
blessings from God:
Psalm 68:6 (KJV)
God setteth
the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains:
but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.
Numbers 20:10-24; Joshua 2:1-15;
Jeremiah 28:2-17
A review of the scriptures and today's discussion will indicate that while the sick must be attended to in order to be made whole, the rebellious must cease from rebellion as it can cause them to be sick, spiritually, physically, mentally and even die.
Remember, that you must take time out and give your time and energy to assist those who are in need of saving (sick sinners)- Those that are healthy do not need a physician. Rebellion is against God the who is the Final Authority, not against the leader or person who gives the instructions. Rebellion is classified with the sin of witchcraft and evil. Evil people are rebellious and will lose out on the blessings of God.
God Bless you and Keep the Faith!
Virtuous Jewel
