The Rules of the Game

The establishing of rules to any game is necessary for the defining of that game. They are to let you know what game you are playing. The rules to baseball are not the rules to basketball; it’s as simple as that. The rules define the game and they also make the game playable. It is impossible to play a game without rules. Finally, the rules also make the game enjoyable. As you can see the rules are very important for a game’s existence. Now, my question is this: What are we to do when those who enforce the rules become corrupt? I am talking of the recent NBA scandal of the referee who, because of his gambling problem, began to “shade” points that ultimately affected the outcome of the game. How will the NBA players ever trust another referee? The investigation is still in its infancy yet the black cloud of doubt has been cast and it will affect everyone involved with the game of basketball. This referee was entrusted with a set of rules that he was asked to enforce and because of his own personal sin, he has affected millions of lives. Granted, we are talking about those who watch NBA basketball but nonetheless, most of these folks will (if they continue to watch) watch their basketball under a cloud of distrust. Who can enjoy that? Now, I don’t believe that this will cause the downfall of the NBA, but I bet they take a hit financially next season. All because of one man who didn’t hold the rules of the game in high regard.
Remember, the rules of the game are established to define the game, to make the game playable, and finally, to make the game enjoyable. God gave us His laws so that we could define life, live life, and make life enjoyable. He has also entrusted us with His very Words. Do you know what happens when people who call themselves Christians, do not hold those “rules” in high regard and break them? It throws a black cloud of distrust in the lives of those who are affected by it. Our own “personal sin” cannot remain personal because we are in the “game” of life. In other words; that referee wouldn’t have affected the millions involved in basketball if he would have kept his gambling outside the realm of basketball. We don’t have that luxury; we cannot remove ourselves from the realm of life. And since everyone who is living, lives within that realm, it is possible that many, many lives can be affected by our “personal sin.” Also, I am wondering; could the sin of God’s people cast a shadow of doubt in the existence of a good and holy God? When people say they believe in God and yet break His rules for living, I believe that that is a bigger miscarriage of justice than anything that that NBA referee did. Come on Christian, let’s hold God’s Word in the highest regard and define what life really is and make it as enjoyable as possible! God is faithful and He will help us!
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