Sept 16 - Psalm 19:7

The law of

the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul.

Psalm 19:7

Do you view “the law” as good or bad?

Wait … let’s ask this another way.

When you’re cruising down the interstate and see a police car, do you smile and think, “Thank heavens for that kind-hearted police officer. He’s keeping me safe”? Or do you curse your bad luck and pray that someone else will get stopped?

When we’re good, the law seems good. But when we’re pushing our luck, the law is a hindrance … an inconvenience … a burdensome bother.

I like to use the image of sports.

Is the rule book good or bad? Imagine playing baseball when …

•      Sometimes three strikes is an out … but other times you get just one.
•      Sometimes hitting the ball over the fence is a homerun … but other times it causes you to be ejected from the game.
•      Sometimes you can throw with your right hand … other times it allows the other team to have an extra at bat.
•      And there’s no warning. The umpire can change the rules at any moment. 

Without the rule book, the game would be chaos.

Similarly, without God’s rule book, life would be chaos.

•      Sometimes you get three strikes and forgiveness … other times you’ve permanently separated yourself from God with the first mistake.
•      Sometimes when someone strikes you on right cheek, you should turn the left cheek too … other times they’re allowed to just shoot you in the cheek.
•      Sometimes when you stand up against false authority, it’s cheered in heaven like a homerun … other times insulting any earthly authority will condemn you to hell.
•      And there’s no warning. God can change the rules at any moment.

That would be chaos, wouldn’t it? If God was not a Lord of consistency and order, we’d never know where we stood. It’d be frightening. And life itself would be uncertain.

God’s law designed to bless us and protect us. After all, a life without people stealing from us, cheating on us, lying about us, or shooting at us is obviously more blessed and secure.

So why do so many people call Christianity legalistic? And why do WE constantly chafe against the burdens of the law?

Why? It’s the same reason we drive faster than the speed limit and curse at the police officers. We think we have a better way.

God knows our future. He has a glorious plan for our life. He wants to bless here and now and forever. And yet from our limited vantage point, we think we have a better way.

It’s pride. And as Proverbs 16:18 reminds us, “Pride goeth before … a fall.”

In Christ’s Love,

an average ballplayer who’s

pridefully ignored the advice of the coach

… yet one who’s also learned to listen – on occasion –

and even after he strikes out has The Manger

pick him up, dust him off, and put him back in