By: Juliet Constantine
“Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:19)
God hates rebellion. Rebellion is sin and God cannot tolerate sin.
The Children of Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years. This wasn’t God’s will for them. But their rebellion kept them there that long. They were living in slavery for over 400 years. Their ancestors who came and settled in Egypt had long been dead - they were not born in slavery. But those who were living then didn’t know life outside of Egypt. They heard stories – enough for them to cry out to God for deliverance from Egyptian bondage.
God answered. Moses, with the help of his brother Aaron, was chosen to guide this nation on the road to freedom. With many miracles, God brought them out of Egypt and set them free - free from slavery and all the atrocities that come with it. They were free! For the first time in their lives, they could venture beyond the borders of Egypt; yet, they rebelled when the journey seemed difficult. When the way seemed obscured, they complained and even expressed desire to be slaves once more. Such was the degree of their rebellion and God’s response prevented all those, except two, who departed from Egypt to enter Canaan.
It wasn’t God’s will to cause the older generation to perish in the wilderness. It was their rebellion. Their unwillingness to follow the straight “thus saith the Lord” prevented their entry. They preferred to set up their own rules and do their own thing. They rebelled against God’s chosen who always stood in the gap for them. With all the miracles God did and all the provisions He gave them, still they were unsatisfied and doubtful of His protection. Their rebellion prevented them from entering the Promised Land.
Jesus taught that those who chose to set aside God’s instructions in favor of men’s, and teach this to others, will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven. In fact, what He actually meant was that they would not enter. Just as how the older Israelites were prevented from entering Canaan: those who break, trivialize, and put it aside will have no place in God’s Kingdom. Those who break one do not keep any. God cannot endorse their rebellion and let them enter.
Christian Author, Ellen G. white said, “It is not the greatness of the act of disobedience that constitutes sin, but the fact of variance from God's expressed will in the least particular; for this shows that there is yet communion between the soul and sin. The heart is divided in its service. There is a virtual denial of God, a rebellion against the laws of His government.
“Were men free to depart from the Lord's requirements and to set up a standard of duty for themselves, there would be a variety of standards to suit different minds and the government would be taken out of the Lord's hands. The will of man would be made supreme, and the high and holy will of God-- His purpose of love toward His creatures--would be dishonored, disrespected.” (TFMB pg 51-52)
How are our words compared with my actions? Are they compatible? Is our life reflecting God’s will, or does our own way takes precedence? If we rebel against God’s requirements by breaking and falsely (directly or indirectly) teaching them to others, we will not enter the pearly gates. Don’t be a rebel. God hates rebellion.
Oh my Father, if there’s any stubborn or waywardness in me, please take it from me. Please Father, let Your will be done in and through me. Let my life, oh Lord, praise you. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)
