Love Is Rebellion
Read The Daily:
“We love each other because he loved us first.” – 1 John 4:19
I was reading a book the other day and the author said that he was really intense in trying to convert others when he first became a follower of Jesus. So much so, that he would even stress in bed if he hadn’t told a certain number of people about Jesus that specific day. But what he said next hit me the hardest. This is what he wrote:
“I was tyring to share my faith with as many people as possible, but if I wasn’t honest, I wouldn’t wish my faith on anyone else because I was miserable”
Religion says, “Prove your love for God.” Grace says, “Believe His love for you.” One is pressure; the other is peace. And believe it or not, the most rebellious thing you can do against a performance-based world is to rest in being loved.
“Religion is pressure, Grace is peace”
When you actually start believing you’re loved—right now, not once you “fix” yourself—something shifts. You stop hustling for acceptance and start living from it. You even start liking yourself again. And from that place, it becomes easier to love other people—not because you have to, but because you overflow.
This week, your rebellion isn’t in resisting rules—it’s in refusing shame. Be bold enough to rest. Be brave enough to love yourself the way God already does. That’s what real freedom looks like.
Prayer for the Day
God what are you showing me? What am I going to do about it?
God help me to see one person that I can serve through a kind word, random act of kindness, or simple gift today?
Make sure you complete the reading or comment today.
Read The New Testament In A Year
And just as they were telling about it, Jesus himself was suddenly standing there among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. But the whole group was startled and frightened, thinking they were seeing a ghost! “Why are you frightened?” he asked. “Why are your hearts filled with doubt? Look at my hands. Look at my feet. You can see that it’s really me. Touch me and make sure that I am not a ghost, because ghosts don’t have bodies, as you see that I do.” As he spoke, he showed them his hands and his feet. Still they stood there in disbelief, filled with joy and wonder. Then he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he ate it as they watched. Then he said, “When I was with you before, I told you that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and in the Psalms must be fulfilled.” Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. And he said, “Yes, it was written long ago that the Messiah would suffer and die and rise from the dead on the third day. It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ You are witnesses of all these things. “And now I will send the Holy Spirit, just as my Father promised. But stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God. Luke 24:36-53
I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:1-8