The Sheer Sweetness of Stoned Rebels: Why I Marvel at God's Chosen Rebellion
Hey everyone, it's me again, back with another reflection on the sheer, mind-blowing ways God works. Lately, I've been pondering something that might seem a bit…intense at first glance: the stoning of rebels in the Old Testament. I know, I know, it sounds brutal. But honestly, the more I meditate on it, the more I see God's incredible love and wisdom shining through it all.
Take Deuteronomy 13:6-10, for example. It talks about how if someone, even your closest family member or friend, tries to lead you away from God, you're supposed to bring them out and stone them. Now, at first, I was like, “Whoa! That’s…a lot.” But then it hit me. God’s not just concerned about obedience; He's fiercely protective of His people. He knows that false teachings and idols can utterly destroy us, leading us away from His abundant grace. It’s like He's saying, "I love you so much, I won't let anything steal you away from me!"
I remember a time in college when I started drifting away from my faith. I had this group of friends who were all about questioning everything, and honestly, they were convincing. I started to think, “Maybe Christianity is just a fairy tale.” It felt like I was slowly being led down a path, and the beautiful truth I’d known my whole life was starting to fade. I look back now, and I realize how vulnerable I was. It wasn’t malicious, but it was a subtle pull away from God. Luckily, through the prayers of my mom (a true prayer warrior!) and some deep soul-searching, I found my way back. But what if I hadn't? What if that pull had been just a little stronger? What if I had completely abandoned my faith? That's when I understand, on a personal level, why God hates rebellion against Him so deeply. It’s about saving us from self-destruction, not about being vindictive.
And here’s the crazy part – it’s not just about the external rebellion. Sometimes, the rebellion is inside of us, that little voice whispering doubts and fears and temptations. Think about how David prayed in Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Isn’t that just stunning? He's actively inviting God to expose the rebellion within him, trusting that God’s correction is out of love. I try to apply this to my daily life – to be open to God’s conviction, even when it stings a little. It’s like acknowledging that sometimes my thoughts and my desires can be my biggest enemies, and I need God to do some serious housecleaning in my heart.
This isn't about advocating for actual stoning in today's world, of course. That would be a misunderstanding of the bigger picture of God’s plan and the grace we have in Christ. But it’s about understanding the seriousness of sin and rebellion, whether it’s outright defiance or the subtle compromises we make every day. The stoning in the Old Testament represents the complete and utter separation that sin brings between us and God. We have to take sin seriously, and not let it take root and corrupt us. And when I say “us”, I mean everyone. It's something we all have to battle with.
I know this is a tough topic. But I think it's important to engage with these difficult passages, even the ones that might seem violent or harsh, because they reveal the incredible intensity of God's love and His commitment to our well-being. They highlight the battle we are in, the one for our very souls. It reminds me of that verse in Ephesians 6:12, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." The fight is real, y’all! And understanding how serious God views rebellion is just one piece of that puzzle.
So, my question for you today is this: what hidden rebellion might be lurking in your heart that God needs to expose? Are you willing to let Him shine His light into those dark corners, trusting that His purpose is always to draw you closer to Himself? Let’s all commit to a deeper examination of our hearts this week, embracing the uncomfortable truths, and letting God’s love guide us into true freedom.