Romans 16:19
For the report of your obedience has reached to all; therefore I am rejoicing over you, but I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
Do you think that it’s okay to bend the rules to suit your needs? Let’s take a moment to explore this thought. Rule: No left turn. You bend it: you turn left because you are in a hurry and missed your exit. Result: Traffic problems. Rule: Cell phones off at the movies You bend it: You really have to know the score of the Final Four game Result: bad things are said about you when your really not a bad person Rule: No eating or drinking in the sanctuary You bend it: skipped breakfast and you are starving, spill grape juice on the light colored carpet Result: stained carpet and an upset cleaning person Rule: Don’t take candy from the bulk isle at the grocery store You bend it: You feel that taking just one or two pieces won’t matter Result: stealing. Do you get the drift? Rules are rules just like the 10 commandments in the Bible. We cannot bend the commandments to fit our lives, why do we think we can bend the rules of the place where we live?
We are always trying to make exceptions to the rule. We allow for it in our environment. We sway our decisions at work based on exceptions. We bend the rules in every aspect of our lives. Why? If I knew the answer to this , I would share it with you. I guess we could call it human nature. Maybe we could label it fitting into society by making things work for you. I just wonder how God sees bending the rules to suit our needs? When we cheat on a spouse and we say, “well they did it first, it’s just payback” or when we plot revenge against another, “well they did it to me, it’s just paybacks”. I bet He just cringes and finds Himself disappointed in our actions.
On a personal note, I am a rule follower at work to a fault. I am always correcting wrong procedures being performed and I sometimes get a little too upset. Now once again, I am not perfect, I make mistakes but to the best of my ability I try to follow the rules. Rules are there for safety. They are in place to keep order. Rules are there to hold everyone accountable for their actions. Sometimes rules are made to keep peace and order. For whatever reasons the rules are made for, they are there for a specific purpose.
How you feel about bending the rules in your life is totally about to you. My challenge to you in this is simple: Would your actions in bending the rules fit into obedience to God? It is up to you to decide if the above picture is true or false, I cannot judge your choices.
Step Upon the Golden Road with Me! 