Playing By The Rules! (part 1 of 4)

Have you ever played a game where it made a difference where you played what the rules were? Maybe you have an arrangement that whomever’s house you’re at determines the rules for the game. This works fine when you understand the rules and agree upon them, for then you know how to play and what to expect. Things always go better when everyone plays by the rules. However, what happens when everyone has a different set of rules in mind or the rules are just not clear? Some people in life seem to be making up the rules as they go along. Others seem bent on playing by their own rules regardless of the desires of others. What rule do we live by?

Over the next few days we will focus on four rules that some have chosen to live by and consider where we are in relation to them? We will consider the first one today.

Is it the “IRON RULE” you live by? To live by this rule means that we do others in before they do us in. It is a rule that causes us to look suspiciously on others, viewing them as deceitful and unworthy of any trust or kindness from us. They are seen as out to get us so the decision is made to get them first. This is a rather ugly outlook and way of dealing with others and is certainly not Christ-like in nature.

Jesus has instructed us:
“(43) You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ (44) BUT I SAY to you, LOVE YOUR ENEMIES and PRAY FOR THOSE WHO PERSECUTE YOU, (45) so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” ( Matthew 5:43-45 ESV)

Have a great day REACHING OUT IN LOVE TO OTHERS!
Carl

==============
[This focus was originally sent 10/08/1998, (Edited some and the passage has been changed to ESV)]

See other teEn-MAIL on Christian Living