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Rebel at heart

(Click here for a video of John reading this Catch.)

OIP-36

  1. They want to be respected
  2. They want to make a difference
  3. They want to be rebels

Now who do you suppose these three qualities represent? Not surprisingly they should represent most of you. Because based on a recent report on a study of generations, these three characteristics were shared by an unlikely pairing of generations — unlikely for some, but not at all surprising to us here at the Catch, because we have been talking about this for some time. These characteristics are shown to be shared by our primary audience: both Boomers and Millennials. 

It’s one thing to know something intuitively and through personal observation, but it’s another to have it confirmed by other sources and even research. 

We’ve known about this ever since12,000 Millennials started showing up at our website every month. Why would they come to our dinosaur of a website if there wasn’t some real connection? It’s not hard to understand now. We respect all comers; we are discipling people to make a difference in the world through grace turned outward; and we are all rebels at heart. We don’t like stereotypes. We not only want to make a difference, we want to be the difference. 

This rebel heart has been with many of us since the Jesus Movement, and I don’t see it going away any time soon. Jesus busted stereotypes everywhere He went. “I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets,” He said. “No, I came to accomplish their purpose” (Matthew 5:17). Jesus did not come to abolish the law, nor did He come to make the people slaves to the law the way the Pharisees and teachers of the law did. He came to complete what the law was given to do. He came to fulfill the law’s purpose, and teach us how to do the same — to establish the law of love. 

And to the teachers of the law, that looked rebellious. And because all religion, including Christianity, tends toward that which is legalistic, the true follower of Christ will always look like a rebel. Grace is reckless, radical and rebellious. 

Religion is all about control. Grace is all about freedom. If you love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself, you will be keeping the law without even trying. Follow this way of love and you will surpass the righteousness of the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. Jesus said, “Unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 5:20)! How do you do that? By following the law of love. By being a rebel at heart.

12 responses to “Rebel at heart”

  1. Mark D Seguin

    Loved all of Today’s Catch Pastor John, but this had me feeling like standing clapping: “He came to fulfill the law’s purpose, and teach us how to do the same — to establish the law of love.” to that I’ll add Amen!

    Reply
  2. bobnearseattle

    I had the germination of an epiphany over the weekend which is still maturing into a full-blown “Eureka!” revelation.
    Trying to convey it in words right now is near impossible but today’s Catch has become one of the pieces of the puzzle that will eventually complete the picture.

    However, the gist of what I’m learning to understand has to do with our internal struggles as well as external: The memories that haunt us; the inner voices that deride us; the insecurities that deflate us; the taunts that demoralize us; the temptations that tease us; the lies that delude us; the sins that overcome us; the behaviors that wound us; the thoughts that condemn us; the emotions that break us; the lessons learned and forgotten; the same mistakes repeated over and over; the crystal-clear belief in our all-too-obvious unbelief; the exhibition of our lack-of-faith for all the world to see; the damning knowledge that I, we, us nailed Jesus to the cross just a few moments or days ago… again; the hopelessness that overwhelms us; the fears that paralyze us; the disappointment and disgust we imagine our Abba (Daddy) must have toward us; the condemnation we feel certain is reserved for us even after we’ve made attempts at repentance and holy living.

    Recently, I’ve been learning a little more about the great sinners of the Bible:
    Jacob, Judah, Moses, David, Solomon, Peter, and Paul among others.
    What’s being shown me right now isn’t yet clear but I’m gaining understanding and this is where today’s Catch on being a rebel comes in.

    Being a rebel at heart not only means as an external witness to others.
    We need to rebel inside our hearts, too, if we’re ever going to completely ally ourselves with Him and grow that faith that moves mountains.
    We can rebel against those occupiers of our hearts which I’ve described above.

    When my “Eureka!” moment happens, I’ll attempt to share then!

    Shalom, Peace…

    Reply
  3. jwfisch

    Wow. That’s quite a list! I wonder if we should create another list of positive things like the cross that saves us, the hope that floods us, the Spirit that drives us, the gospel that defines us, etc.?

    Reply
    1. bobnearseattle

      I would not be adverse to that at all
      And we can begin with Philippians:
      Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things….
      And, if I might add: DO THEM!
      Be the embodiment of them and share them!
      What a rebellious attitude that would be these days!

      And, you know me John, I try not to lean toward the negative.
      I believe in all of the spiritual gifts and positive traits that are offered us. They’re more satisfying and effective, though, if we accept AND share them.

      In your writings, John, you have noticed the bent toward negativity, resignation, schisms and self-destruction that many in the Church are engaging in whether through generational, political, or other contentions.
      The Church is falling prey to what Spiro Agnew once called, “the nattering nabobs of negativism!” and in today’s climate, it’s not just the media but everyone with a me-first fixation who is participating.
      And this is where the sinners I mentioned above come in and whom also overcame their self-interests. But more on that later.
      (As I said, the “Eureka!” moment has not made itself known to me yet.)

      We need an infusion of positivity now and we need to turn around and project that positivity toward our families, neighbors, communities, cities, countries, and world.
      We have to kick off that blanket of doom, gloom, and despair that has been sneakily covering our eyes along with everyone else’s and let the Light of Life shine in and through us.
      This is where our rebellion begins.

      Thank you for your response, by the way… 🙂

      Reply
      1. John A Fagliano

        OK Bob, I took some of your list and turned it around: The memories that comfort us; the security that we belong to God; the Spirit’s voice that guides us; the Truth that makes us wise; the good things we do that give us a sense of purpose; Prayers that unite us with God; lessons learned and remembered; how every moment is a new chance to get it right; the knowledge that the blood of Christ has erased what we did just a few moments or days ago… again; the hope that encourages us; and the Love Our Daddy has for us even when we just don’t see ourselves the way He does; and finally the Glory that is reserved for us even after all the times when we failed to attempt repentance and holy living.

        Reply
      2. jwfisch

        Yes, and I call everyone’s attention to blogtalkradio.com/thecatch for last week’s interview with Doug Stevens on this very topic.

        Reply
  4. John A Fagliano

    OK Bob, I took some of your list and turned it around: The memories that comfort us; the security that we belong to God; the Spirit’s voice that guides us; the Truth that makes us wise; the good things we do that give us a sense of purpose; Prayers that unite us with God; lessons learned and remembered; how every moment is a new chance to get it right; the knowledge that the blood of Christ has erased what we did just a few moments or days ago… again; the hope that encourages us; and the Love Our Daddy has for us even when we just don’t see ourselves the way He does; and finally the Glory that is reserved for us even after all the times when we failed to attempt repentance and holy living.

    Reply
    1. John A Fagliano

      I didn’t mean to send that twice, but it seems you can’t edit or delete what you post here.

      Reply
      1. bobnearseattle

        Yeah, my typo’s, etc. make me cringe after I’ve hit “post”!

        I give you a big hearty AMEN for your list, too! It’s excellent, thanks!
        These ARE the thoughts and mindsets we do need to exercise and exert if we’re going to make any rEVOLutionary impact in our homes and planet these days.
        It’s not the “pie-in-the-sky in the sweet bye-and-bye” declarations of times past but the raw reality that honest people with honest feelings are often confronted by; and the equally real knowledge that there is a Gracious Resource available to lift ourselves and others up out of the quagmire of negativity and the accompanying thoughts of “woe is me” or “to hell with them.”

        Those troubling ruminations cannot be dealt with by denial – which is what many of us often do – but they can also actually serve a positive purpose. This is field ripe for the separating of religion (control) from grace (freedom). And this is where my path toward a certain discovery is leading me…

        Thank you, too, John, for your helpful insights and response!

        Shalom, Peace to you my friend… 🙂

        Reply
      2. bobnearseattle

        …and when I say these ARE the thoughts and mindsets, I’m talking about your list and John’s suggestions above.
        Can’t edit. Thought I should probably clarify…
        😉

        Reply
  5. Toni Petrella

    That is great that many millennials are at this website and learning about having Jesus in your heart. Life with its ups and downs is like a roller coaster ride and I cannot imagine one day without the saving Grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Grace from all this is the best anyone can have now and forever. The law was a start but, the saving Grace of our Lord and Savior was and is much better and more fulfilling.

    Reply
  6. Lee Davis

    I know you are speaking from your own personal experience, but limiting the rebel heart of Christianity as dating from the Jesus Movement seems a little short sighted. Hasn’t the whole history of movement in the church been about rebellion against injustices? So many, from Luther, to the Abolitionists to my grandparents being arrested for holding Salvation Army meetings on the street corners for the ‘down and out’ folks, to people now fighting for respect for immigrants and the homeless? Seems like this is what we do as believers.

    Reply

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