Just a Thought: You have to follow the rules if you’re going to stay in game! An athlete who competes for the prize and cheats is disqualified. If they cannot follow the rules, they cannot be taken seriously or considered for the prize. And, in order to follow the rules, we must know what the rules are. I enjoy playing the French game pétanque. This is a version of bocce (Italian bowling) with different rules. There are lines you have throw across. There is a required way to throw the ball. And there are rules to throwing out the ‘pig” (the target ball). And there are court rules such as if your ball hits the wall on the court it is disqualified. Now, you have to know these things about this game to play it correctly. So, it is with Christian living. The Christian life is not about a bunch of dos and don’ts. However, we do need to know that God has a perfect will about all things. And, we need to know the Lord has called us out to Himself to be His people called by His name. If we are going to represent Him faithfully and well. And receive the rewards of blessings from Him, we must follow His word and His ways. Paul makes this same comparison when he writes, “Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor’s crown unless he competes according to the rules.” (2 Tim 2:5) I am to understand God’s word so that I can live according to it. My friend, we are in a competition today. We are competing against our enemy, the devil who desires to continue to deceive the world so that he may destroy lives. We are competing for the Lord to wrestle the those under Satan’s sway, away from him and turn them to the Lord. It is not our job to convert people, that is the Holy Spirit’s job. But it is our job to be a clear and faithful witness. If we are going to be successful and victorious in this competition we must know, follow and practice God’s word in our daily lives. There is much at stake and as the old saying goes, “Cheaters never win. And winners never cheat.” You have to follow the rules if you’re going to stay in game! And the rules for this game of life are found in the ever faithful and true word of God.
