5:102 – Yes, the rules apply to you too

#faithbites #faithjourney rules

Intro

I’m a big fan of Star Trek, I thank my dad for that. In Star Trek, there is a test that all command cadets have to take before graduating, called the Kobayashi Maru. This is a no-win scenario and it’s to help teach loss. It’s famous because Captain Kirk beat the scenario. He did it because he reprogrammed the scenario for him to win.

Why am I talking about this? We have rules ad a society to help us be safe, respect each other, and grow. Rules should apply equally to all people. We don’t get to pick and choose which ones we follow, nor should we try to wriggle out of the intent of the law. (For clarification, I know there are unjust rules, I also know that as a society we’ve never equally applied the law to all peoples).

Questions

• Do you follow the rules of a given organization or try to bend them to your will?
• If you bend them? Why?
• If you bend them, should this bend or loophole apply to everyone or just you?
• How should we respond to rules?

Scripture

• John 8:31-32 – So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
• John 14:15 – “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.
• John 15:10 – If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.

Reflection

When you read the intro and then the scripture you see that I switched words from rules to commandments. Are they the same thing? We have rules that govern our behavior in society and commandments that govern our behavior to God. While we know there is a difference between human laws and God’s laws, do we choose which of each we like?

Today’s reflection doesn’t contain definite answers as we all make our own choices. When we chose to all obey the same rules and commandments, then we get along better. Again, this isn’t as nuanced as it could be, but then again, no one wants to read a 10,000-word dissertation.

As we close, remember that we are all children of God. That His rules apply to all of us equally and are made to help and not harm us.

Prayer

Lord God, thank you for your laws. You provide us with a path on which to live. Often we feel that the laws don’t apply to us and we break them. Sometimes, we feel we get away with it, other times, it hurts. We know that at all times you are watching and know what we do. Help us to understand that your laws apply equally to us and that they are only here to help us grow and protect us. We pray this in your name, Amen.