Rebellion vs. Radical Courage

There is a curious difference between rebellion and radical courage.   At times it can be difficult to discern the difference. 

When Hitler was gaining control in Germany, a Lutheran pastor, named Bonheoffer, refused to submit to his policies of extermination of the Jews. For this he gave his life. But then…..what about those to refuse to honor our flag or dismantle statues of American patriots whom they view as wicked and evil. 

                             Which is it……..Rebellion or Courage?

Rebellion and courage do look similar, but there’s actually a big difference from God’s point of view.  Sometimes we need to take an unpopular stand that defies social norms or even unjust laws.  This requires great courage.  For those of us who choose to live under God’s authority, it must be carried out with God’s approval. 

How do we know what He approves?  God has revealed to us what He approves as courageous acts and what rebellion is. Daniel wouldn’t bow down to the statue of the king…….he challenged idol worship and for that he was thrown to the beasts but saved because of his courage. Others lost their lives.

Some mistakenly think Jesus was a rebel.  Jesus, contrary to some popular ideas, was no rebel.  He came to clarify the instructions of His Father.  He made the Torah of God more meaningful to His disciples.

God hates rebellion.  Reading from Scripture we find those who rebelled against God’s authority and were evidentially defeated.  God expects us to honor His Word and to not mistake rebellion for courage.

Jesus told his disciples to give Caesar what belongs to him but to God the things that are God’s.  The image on the coin was Caesar’s, but the image within us mark us as belonging to God.  He made us and we are His.  Our lives are not our own.  Jesus simultaneously demonstrates His freedom from the world’s system and points to the ultimate authority over our lives, to whom we owe obedience: God.     

It can be difficult to know what Jesus would do in our increasingly surreal circumstances.  Would He defy authority?  Would He challenge a corrupt system? At what point would He be willing to break the law and engaged in civil disobedience?    Despite the fact that the priestly authorities used His growing popularity as a sign of rebellion, He told Pilate that His Kingdom was not of this world!           

However, Jesus, most of his apostles, and Paul were all put to death because of their standing on Biblical principles which prevented them from bowing down to Caesar as god.  Can we do less?

 Our country was founded on the basic sovereignty of man with freedom of choice in worship as well as separating church and state. What, if our “Caesar demands that we must accept the laws and statutes which are against the values and morals that we hold true?   It’s far too easy for us to get riled up, full of angst and react in ways that do not serve God’s purposes.   We’ve got to avoid anything that smacks of rebellion and yet have the courage to defy government mandates. 

In the English language, the word courage comes from the Latin word for heart (cor).  Courage is a matter of the heart.  When it’s time to speak or act, we will need great courage.

If “Caesar” attempts to regulate our schools, our places of worship, or requires us to subsidize policies that go against our values and beliefs as Christians, then we must take a stand.  How much are we willing to sacrifice on behalf of our faith? 

We can encourage others by our example.  When we summon the strength to be courageous, we can in turn impart strength and courage to those around us as they see us taking a stand. 

^““Have I not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest”…..Joshua 1:9