Rules, Fouls, Penalities

Rules, fouls and penalities are a part of any game and are regulated and enforced vigorously by referees, judges, umpires and officials. Every participant knows that boundaries must be set and behavior monitored or the game will degenerate into chaos. Playbooks are written, coaches are on the sidelines, players either participate or sit on the bench.

In the world we play many games, sometimes it is a sport such as basketball, baseball, soccer or even hockey. We have players who go out a hundred percent and do whatever it takes to win, we have players who just get by and we have players who sit on the bench.

In God's family we have the same scenarios. Sometimes we go out a hundred percent, sometimes we are apathetic. Sometimes we are willfully disobedient, we are rebellious, we hide our infractions, and it seems we succeed. Sometimes it seems no penalities have been called, no whistles are blown and might seems right. Self exalts itself once again and the old man resurrects himself in our lives. Although all the rules have been broken, it seems we have succeeded, but we haven't, penalities follow and thankfully so does Grace.

In any game, when rules are broken, the team suffers. It is not all about me, although sin always demands a payment, it is about those who don't know, it is about our families, our co workers, our friends, and but most of all it is about God. In Genesis, it says, In the beginning, GOD....that is where it starts and that is where it ends. Life begins with God, thus a biblical worldview, it starts with Him and everything in life should be viewed through this worldview..

We allow the world to reshape the truth... to tell us the latest study says this is okay or that is okay, when His word says it is not okay. It is about obedience, being a free slave, living it because we believe it, because love motivates us to live it out, to represent the family. I want to be a Forward on this team, a quarterback, even a coach, I don't want to sit on the bench and I don't want to be the one who gets a penalty or a foul, I want to score a touchdown, a basket, or a goal, and yet I know I won't always do so and He loves me nonetheless. Not that anything I do is worthy of anything except it brings glory to Him. I want to live on purpose, but I don't always.

God help me live it out, shout it out, I find no greater joy than living for Him and following His playbook. I want to be an MVP, Most Valuable Player, just because of what He did for me. I love Him! I truly want to know Him, the real Him, not facts about Him, not opinions, but know Him...for to know Him is to love Him. I am so happy I am on His team, I used to be on the opposing team, but I crossed over from death to life!, and man am I ever glad I did!!!