THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER
"Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. " (John 5:39)

VOLUME 1, NUMBER 29, AUGUST 19, 2001

"CAN'T YOU BEND THE RULES A LITTLE BIT?"

For the title of this article I am using a question that a fellow asked me on a radio program quite some time ago. The gentleman asked, "Can't you bend the rules a little bit?" My initial reaction to his question was surprise. In the context of a discussion about the need to abide within the truth of our Lord, how could some ask if it was not possible to bend the rules? But upon further reflection it has become easy to see what would cause that man to ask such a question.

"Bending the rules" is a way of life for most people. Is it even necessary to mention how people bend the rules when it comes to obeying the laws of our land? If the speed limit is 55 on a particular road, most interpret that to mean 60. A few weeks ago I heard a highway patrolman say that the average speed on I-75 between Cincinnati and Dayton is 80 mph. Have you ever noticed how in many instances a yellow light no longer means slows down, prepare to stop - but rather, speed up so you can make it through the light? I have known people who prefer to be paid in cash if possible in order to avoid any record of income so that they can "bend the rules a little bit" when it comes to taxes. In sports coaches and players regularly push the rules to the limit, even "bending them a little bit" if it means they might gain an advantage. In schools with dress codes students make a habit of seeing just how far they can "bend the rules" and get away with it. "Bending the rules" is commonplace and people do get away with it every single day.
But how does God feel about bending His rules? In Romans 15:4, Paul wrote, "For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Recognizing the value of "whatever was written in earlier times", perhaps we can find some indication of how God feels about those who "bend His rules" in the Old Testament.

Cain was evidently a "rule bender". He offered a sacrifice that was not according to God's instructions. I am sure that he felt satisfied in "bending the rules" to suit himself, but was God satisfied? Genesis 4: 5 - 7, gives us the answer. It says, "But for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Then the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it."

How about Nadab and Abihu? God told the people where fire for the burning of incense was to come from. Nabab and Abihu decided to "bend the rules a little bit", and get fire from some place other than the one God had designated. The incense was still going to burn and it would smell the same. What was the big deal? Lev. 10:2, tells us, "And fire came out from the presence of the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord." The "big deal" was the God had given the rules and these two men "bent" them.

Consider Uzzah of 2 Samuel 6. After the Ark of the Covenant was completed, no one was to touch it. Uzzah, in an effort to keep the ark from falling, reached forth his hand and steadied it. He touched it and kept it from falling. Look at the reaction of God to this "bending of the rules". 2 Samuel 6:7, says, "And the anger of the Lord burned against Uzzah, and God struck him down there for his irreverence; and he died there by the ark of God."

In the New Testament we are told not to go beyond that which is written in 1 Corinthians 4:6. Paul wrote, "Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to exceed what is written, in order that no one of you might become arrogant in behalf of one against the other."

We are told in 2 John 9, "Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son." At no time is permission ever given to "bend" the rules of God. Not even just a "little bit".

A person might be a "bender of rules" all the days of his life and consistently get away with it. When this life is over, so too is the getting away with it. We can't bend God's rules, even a little bit. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad." (2 Cor. 5:10)

Greg Litmer

HOME AGAIN

Having arrived back home from a vacation trip, I am reminded of the words of Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, "There's no place like home." That is so true! No matter where a person might go, and no matter what he might see - it is always good to get back home.

God's creation is a wonder to behold. All of the great artists of the world can not match the beauty of God's handiwork. Indeed, the Apostle Paul tells us in Roman 1:20, "For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse." It is impossible to do justice in describing the vastness of the oceans, the majesty of the mountains, and the simple beauty of a river flowing through a countryside. Even Jesus said, "Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these."

Even surrounded by all of the beauty that exists on this earth, and having the wherewithal to go see some of it, most of us still are ready to go home when the time comes. How much stronger should be the desire to go to our eternal home? The place that awaits the faithful child of God is a specially prepared place. Jesus said in John 14:1 - 3, "Let not your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."

I am not sure exactly what heaven is going to be like. I do know that it will be a place of surpassing beauty, where there will be peace, and comfort, and joy. It will be a place where I will be in the presence of God. It will be a place that will encompass everything that HOME means. Truly, THERE IS NO PLACE LIKE HOME when the home we are talking about is HEAVEN.

Greg Litmer