2Timothy 2:5 And if someone likewise competes as an athlete, he is not crowned as victor unless he competes according to the rules.

Following the rules is easy when we know what the rules are, and if there is a willingness to be amenable to the rules of life. God makes His rules, laws, and edicts plain and understandable. The world’s rules are a moving target that needs constant interpretation and re-interpretation (depending on the day’s trends) only to survive, whereas God’s rules give us a living hope. Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. The danger arises when, by choice, Christians begin to misinterpret the rules. They conveniently make the Word of God say what they want it to say to suit their desires, because of weakness or obstinacy of the heart. Consequently, God’s rules become an object of discussion rather than something to obey.

The command to follow the rules is an unceasing theme throughout the Bible. With regularity, God explains that if we follow the rules, we will live in relative safety and blessing. However, man cannot grasp this instruction as mankind keeps falling into a state of perdition. Aaron’s son was given simple instructions and basic rules for managing the sacrifices on God’s altar. But their attitude was flippant, and they interpreted the instructions of God as common and even unholy. Lev. 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 2 So fire went out from the LORD and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. They did not acknowledge what was holy and clean to God. Lev. 10:10 And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.

God’s admonishment to the world’s people is to embrace the rules that God deems life-giving. Deut. 30:19 I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life, so that you and your descendants may live. We need to ask ourselves: why is Satan so hell-bent on causing us to break God’s rules as well as the rules for living peacefully within society? In the last few years, I have noticed that North Americans seem to be in a constant state of road rage regardless of whether they own a car or not. The ability to maintain the rules and manners of cohabitation has been lost to the ordinary citizen. Why have we become so obstinate, demanding our way at the cost of everyone around us? 2Tim. 3:2 For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. 3 They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good.

We live within a throw-away society where we now throw people away as easily as a paper towel. Whether it is marriages, friendships, or casual relationships, we have no problem chucking our fellow man on the slag heap of waste. All because of political differences, job status, religious beliefs and whatever else can be found that separates within the tribal mentality that is infecting the human race. 2Tim. 4:3 For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. This is all falling apart because the basic life rules are no longer honoured or believed to have a purpose. The hope that people once had has been lost, and no one seems to know where to find it.

I believe that a lack of gratitude and an air of entitlement have moved into the hearts of many, causing an obnoxious rudeness that has become a given among many people. “Don’t tell me what to do” and “I have a right” are the first expressions out of the mouths of the ungrateful. Lost are the expressions of “May I help you, and Excuse me.” These civilities that once graced our conversations have faded into the realm of old bedtime stories and letters found in our grandparents’ attics. The rules for honouring one another have been lost in the cacophony of hate speech because it is easier to curse someone out than to swallow one’s pride and offer respect. Rom. 12:10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honour giving preference to one another.

How do we fix this loss of social integrity? It starts with me! By grace, I need to double down and be the Lord’s hand extended that the Holy Spirit is using to draw and give a word of kindness to those who are in desperate need of hearing, “Thank you, you are loved, you are valued, you are needed in life!” By grace, I need to be aware that there are other opinions as important as I think mine are. Rom. 12:18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. The onus of this scripture is – as far as it depends on you! As far as it depends on me to be the voice of reason and grace, to offer the hand of friendship and to be a vessel of blessing from which others may draw. These are the rules that the Lord has set forth for His children. Now, all we need is to reread them and put them into practice. Let us consider the first rule and apply it to our lives today. Mark 12: 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” May God’s grace be upon us to fulfill what He has set in place on this earth to bring about the kingdom of God.