Redefining “Rebellious” in the Pursuit of Truth

In the world of science and technology, the greatest inventors and innovators are those who are willing to think beyond the apparent limits of reality.

From aviation to advances in medicine, we owe much of our modern existence to those who questioned assumptions, were willing to test and retest their theories, and saw natural laws not as obstacles but as a constant they could trust in the process.

The Wright brothers didn’t have to renounce gravity in order to build a plane; they simply had to believe that there was opportunity for freedom even within the law of gravity.

The Insulet company who made the first tubeless insulin pump (the omnipod that I use) did so by reimagining freedom despite the confines of what had always been accepted as the standard for pumps. (And pumps are a giant rebellion against the shots that were once our only option.)

We generally accept that the advances of this world wouldn’t have been produced without people who asked questions and tested limits.

But somehow this mentality is often frowned upon in the world of faith. We look at spiritual laws much differently than natural laws. If someone asks too many questions about Biblical interpretation or the theology and doctrine they grew up in, they might be viewed as “heretical,” “radical,” or simply “rebellious”.

Sometimes we are made to feel that any doubts or deeper investigation into what we believe might be dishonoring to God or a rejection of His law.

But what if the “rebels” are actually closer to finding the truth of freedom in the law than those of us who live in fear of making a doctrinal faux paus?

James 1: 25 says this: ”
^“But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. “

This verse is interesting because “look intently” implies more than just reading and accepting. To look intently implies studying, seeking an understanding beyond the surface of the text, and reading over the law multiple times.

Jesus Himself often told his listeners, “You have heard that it was said…but I tell you…” He doesn’t throw out the law, but He asks His followers to think deeply about God’s true heart and intent. He invites them to a fuller perspective of the law, and He always paints with colors of freedom.

James 1:25 refers to this freedom as well. We read laws differently in light of freedom than we do in light of constraint. When I read a law believing it is meant to confine and limit me, I will tend to live out of guilt and fear. My highest priority will be reducing the law to a list of “dos” and “don’ts” and protecting and perfecting that list.

But when I read a law based on the concept that it gives freedom, I am able to move and stretch within that law. Much like the law of gravity, I see the law of God as a structure which both grounds me and allows me to fly. I begin to ask questions like, “What does God’s law ENABLE me to do? What good purposes are hidden for me in His word?”

Just as the Wright brothers would have been foolish to IGNORE the law of gravity, I can’t IGNORE the law of God in my pursuit of the freedom in His truth.

But it would also be a mistake to assume that those who QUESTION have to throw out the concept of absolute truth. I can believe that God’s truth is absolute, and still believe that my understanding of truth is imperfect.

Our questions (and even our unavoidable wrong ideas) can’t ALTER truth. But they are part of our journey to walk in our full freedom in Christ, to understand His heart in relationship, and to see faith advance in our lives.

Relationship with God requires us to hold so tightly to the authority of God that we cannot help but hold our understanding of His law with an open hand. This doesn’t mean we have soft convictions or that we’re flippant about our belief. It simply means we leave room for the grace of God to rearrange our understanding of His Word when we fall short of His heart.

This Thursday (February 28th) I’m doing a Facebook Live discussion of Men and Women in the church. (Click HERE for the event link!) Part of the story I’ll be sharing deals with how I have felt “rebellious” at times in my pursuit of God’s full heart for women. I wanted to share this blog post as a sort of prequel to offer everyone who listens in the FREEDOM to wrestle.

My prayer is that in so many areas of our lives, God uses the deep questions and “intent looks” into His law to bring us closer to Himself and the full life He wants to give us.