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Topic: Breaking the Rules (08/16/04)
TITLE: THE RULE-KEEPING RULER By Anthony David 08/23/04 |
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With lot of determination, and with God’s help, I fought off that impulse. That’s how you are able to read me now on faithwriters.
Who began breaking rules? It was Eve and Adam, way back in the garden of Eden.
Since then, rules are being made usually only to be broken. If there is a rule, there usually is someone who takes pleasure to break it! I have observed some people to be habitual breakers of rules. These ‘rule breakers’ scoff at rules and keep breaking them. They are overjoyed only when they succeed in breaking the most elaborate of the rules others make. “If we cant totally break this rule, is their some way of bending it ?” they ask. They also say, “Will I really be punished in the here and now if I disobey this rule?”
Sometimes these ‘breakers’ are forced by authorities to comply. They do so but under protest. They keep grumbling and mumbling. “What hard hearted rulers are these? They are trampling on my fundamental right. The right to break rules?” they complain.
There are others who are not so adventurous. They always, try and keep the rules. Very orthodox and sincere, they want to always keep all the rules. They look askance at the others who keep breaking rules. “We are much better that those sinners who keep breaking rules.” They congratulate themselves. If by chance they break a small rule, they keep moaning and groaning about it.
God made us to be free agents. He made us beings capable of choosing. We can choose to obey or disobey Him.
“If I keep most of the rules, then is it okay for me? Will I be able to go to heaven?” Is this your question? Centuries ago when the Teacher was walking the dusty streets of Palestine, a similar query was raging in the heart of a young man.
This man was not only young, he was also rich. Not only was he young and rich, he was also a ruler, a man of some position in his society. To add to all this, he was a congenital rule keeper. He kept all the rules that he had been taught, right from child hood.
What a fortunate man? What with youth, wealth and position, and being a rule keeper all his life, was he a satisfied fellow?
No chance. He felt a huge gap. He felt all empty within. Hearing about a radical new teacher, he ran to him. Kneeling down before him, he asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to have eternal life?”
The Teacher took a close look at him. Being divine, He saw what was within his soul. He found time to converse with him. He told him that only one thing was lacking. He needs to set his priorities right. Right now, the young man’s top priority was his wealth. The Teacher asked him to sell all his possessions, give to the poor and come and follow Him.
The young man was cut to the core. He was in a dilemma. “Should I leave all my riches and follow this Teacher? No how can I?”
Slowly and sadly he left. Walked away, from the pages of the gospels, from Eternal life.
So dear reader, remember whether you are a keeper or breaker of rules, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is whether you accept the Teacher. Yes you need to accept the Teacher who went on to Calvary. And beyond to Resurrection and Ascension.
My prayer is that you, my dear reader will make the right choice in your life.
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© 2004: Dr.M.A David S Kumar