I was doomscrolling social media when I came across a reel of a karaoke party in London. Several Indian bigwigs—some of whom are considered fugitives—crooned into the mic with complete abandon. Ironically, the song was Frank Sinatra’s “I Did It My Way.” I found myself judging them. How could they sing with such indifference when they were alleged fraudsters?
Yet, minutes later, I continued to waste my time online, brushing aside my morning commitment to give the Lord my single-minded devotion. I compared myself to the world, decided I “scored” better, and persisted in behaviour I knew was not God-honouring.
I had indulged in “soft rebellion.”
It’s when we quietly choose our desires over God’s will, relying on our righteousness instead of his, and trust in our works rather than his grace.
I did not openly walk away, but I wilfully disobeyed him and quietly justified it to myself. Perhaps I even unconsciously stacked up my “labour for the Lord” against my disregard for his way—and gave myself a pass.
God’s Word teaches that all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23). Our comparative “morality” is nothing before his perfect holiness. Yet how often we justify ourselves and indulge in such soft rebellion (Heb. 2:1, James 4:17, Matt. 26:40).
Soft Rebellion Wants “Just Enough” Christianity
Many of us don’t blithely walk away from the faith. Instead, we choose a manageable, comfortable Christianity:
- Just enough to feel spiritual on Sundays
- Enough compelling content to inspire us but not enough truth to confront us.
- Enough to save us from final judgment, though we remain lukewarm in the meantime.
In Revelation 2:4-5, Jesus addresses this complacency. He says, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”
Returning to Our First Love
There is no formula, because a formula would only lead us back to performance-based Christianity. Yet Jesus gives the Ephesian church concrete ways to return.
Consider Our Ways
Jesus urges believers to consider how far they have fallen. The call is not to compare ourselves with others but to examine our lives in the light of God’s Word and the Spirit’s conviction.
Repent of Sin
The only path back to the Lord is repentance. Yet we often sugarcoat sin with words like “brokenness” or “messes.” Scripture never does. We are called to humble ourselves, confess our sin, and walk away from it.
Do the Things We Did at First
Our spiritual disciplines can easily turn into habits without heart. Years of service can become badges of honour. Jesus calls us to remember and return:
- to when we pursued him because he first pursued us,
- when we hungered for his Word,
- when prayer felt like our lifeline.
The Elder Brother Trap
In Jesus’s parable, which we know commonly as “The Parable of the Prodigal Son,” the elder brother never outwardly rebelled. But when the prodigal returns, he says to his father: “Look, these many years I have served you… yet you never gave me a young goat… But when this son of yours came… you killed the fattened calf for him!” (Luke 15:29–30)
His words drip with self-righteousness and entitlement. He did the “right things,” yet his heart grew distant. Though he obeyed outwardly, the truth is he rebelled inwardly.
Turning From Soft Rebellion
When we find ourselves in the elder brother’s shoes, we have a choice. The Father’s invitation to repent and return remains open.
May we put off everything that hinders—including soft rebellion, self-righteous pride, and performance—and the sin that so easily entangles, both “big” and “small.”
May we run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
And may we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:1-4).
