A Rebellious People 

  “You stiff-necked people, with uncircumcised hearts and ears!  You are always resisting the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do.” (Acts 7: 51) 

   We are a rebellious people, we know right from wrong, but we often choose evil rather than good.  We know the ways of God are the right ways but refuse to follow when they are difficult.  Just as mankind always has, we reject the Spirit and live in the flesh.

   How often do we praise God for the many blessings He has given and then demand to know “why?” when things are not going as we wish.  We glory in His love and mercy, but whine and complain about the crosses we are called to bear.

   We know what is right, but we allow evil to persist without protest.  Millions upon millions of infants are slaughtered in the womb as an “inconvenience.”  Our elderly are warehoused and ignored rather than receiving the love and care they deserve.  Criminals walk the streets preying on the innocent and our courts do nothing to stop it.

   We have rebelled against common sense and natural law.  We have become complacent.  We “go along to get along” rather than standing up for the truth.  Our rebellion and lukewarmness will not be without consequences.  We will be called to answer for our stiff-necked attitudes and defiant nature.

   Many of the Israelites were refused entry into the promised land because of their rebellious nature.  The Lord said, "Not one of these men from this generation will see the good land that I promised to give your fathers." (Deuteronomy 1: 35).  If we remain a stiff-necked, rebellious people we will never enter the promised land of the kingdom of God.