What are the Rules

Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13-14 KJV

Yesterday, I had the privilege of watching my grandson play baseball. The parents were very supportive of the kids, but the umpires took a lot of heat. As I understand it, the ball must pass between the letters and the knees. It must also pass over a 17 inch plate. Those are the rules that everyone plays by from little league to Major league. There's no bending the rules just because your child strikes out or because the pitcher can't hit the mitt. The rules are the rules, written in the rule book.

God has rules as well. We hear a lot of people say, "God is a loving God. He wouldn't send anyone to hell."

" Yes, I'm going to heaven because I'm a pretty good person. My good outweighs my bad."

"It doesn’t matter what I believe so long as I'm a good person."

Remember the story of Cain and Abel in the book of Genesis? God accepted Abel's offering because he brought a blood offering from the best of his innocent flock. It symbolized the offering God would give in sending His sinless Son to die for our sins.

Cain brought an offering of his hard work, the fruits of the ground. There was no blood offering, only his good work. God did not accept Cain's offering. It made Cain mad, but Cain had not followed God's plan, God's rules.

If the baseball team doesn't follow the rules, they lose!

If we don't follow God's rules, we lose eternal life!

There is a sure way to have eternal life. That way is in God's rule book. Repentance and faith in Jesus is the only way to heaven.

Jesus said, " I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. " John 14:6

Acts 4:12 says, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."

We wouldn't think of playing baseball making up the rules as we went along. God has a rule book as well. Won't you check it out and make your salvation sure? It's that important.

Blessings,

Gail

Hey Kids:

When I was a kid, I sometimes made up rules for those I didn't already know. When friends came over to play, that presented a problem until we worked out the real rules. We also made up new games. We had to decide what the rules would be.

What rules would you make for a new game?

How would your rules be fair to everyone?

How would your rules allow everyone to play?

How would your rules make everyone feel a part of the game?

Our rules must be loving, yet fair to all involved. God showed us His love when He sent His Only Son to pay the price for our sins, so we could all go to heaven if we chose.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Answers to last week's challenge:

Locust – beans

Kine – cow

Corn – grain

Victuals – food

Compass - surround