The danger of rebellion is often something we don’t want to discuss. Have you ever felt that God’s commands are restraining and unfair? This is a typical attitude, but it is not what believers should have. Our heavenly Father gave us the commandments for our good and protection. They teach us how to be righteous and protect us from sin.
Contrary to the view that the Lord’s commands and laws obstruct our happiness, obedience to Him is the foundation of contentment. When we defy God’s authority, we are giving satan a foothold to attack us. Galatians 6:7 Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.[1] God always desires that rebellious people repent so He can transform them.
Consequences of Rebellion
Humans weren’t the first to rebel against God. Satan was the first being to rebel against God and became His enemy. Isaiah 14:12 “How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. [2] Unlike people who can return to God, fallen angels have no redemption.
God told Adam not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil, or He would die. Then, we meet satan in the form of a crafty serpent who introduces doubt about God in Eve’s mind. The result is that they disregard God’s rule, eat the forbidden fruit and suffered the consequences. Sin corrupted their perfect world. In God’s mercy, He took animal skins and made clothes for them. The consequences of sin continue to this day.
Fallen Angles Impact Humanity
When satan fell into sin, he deceived other angels to battle against God, only to be thrown out of heaven. Some of these fallen angels came to earth and had children by earthly women called Nephilim. Nephilim was a wicked race of beings, part human and part angelic, who plunged humanity into greater sin and wickedness. As the Nephilim began to intermarry with humanity, God’s patience ran out, and humanity reached a point of no return.
Genesis 6:3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.”[3] Scholars see 120 years as the amount of time before the flood of Noah. God is also patient with us, but there is also a point where His patience runs out and judgment begins.
Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. [4] Today, no one is too far from God! You will be saved when you repent of your sins and turn to Jesus in faith! To learn more about the danger of rebellion, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/from-heartbreak-to-hope
[1,2,4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ge 6:3). (2016). Crossway Bibles.