Rules of the Game
In most any game the object by standard logic is to WIN, and not LOSE. And many in competition, besides following the “Rules of the Game”, actively reach out of themselves to draw on a higher power. (Dallas Cowboys praying before game, some folks rub a lucky charm, some chant a magic phrase like win, win, win, etc.) And besides the rules & reaching out of oneself, we all need a strategy & resolve to WIN. Here’s a few common attitudes of winners AND losers.
WINNER LOSER
Always part of the answer. Always part of the problem.
Always has a plan. Always has an excuse.
Sees an answer for all problems. Sees a problem in all answers.
Says, “It may be tough, but it’s possible.” Says, “It’s too difficult.”
Says, “Let me do it for you.” Says, “That’s not my job.”
Now it’s counter-productive for athletes to eat unhealthily, not exercise, do drugs & alcohol, no discipline, NO RULES, bash head against a wall for entertainment (I have seen this), then expect to win – WIN WHAT??
In the game of life, it’s counter-productive to absorb false information, not exercise oneself in TRUTH, go for psychology, & extreme yoga, no discipline or seeking the real God, liberalism, bash head against Jesus Christ (deny His deity & glory), then expect to win – WIN WHAT??
So, what are the “Rules of the Game” of life if we want to really WIN?? 1) Acknowledge God – give the Bible of history some respect. It’s God’s “rule book” & the BEST statement of TRUTH of all time. 2) Receive God’s salvation. That is Jesus Christ which is the message of both Old & New Testaments. 3) Absorb the truth of the ages. While the Decalogue & the whole Bible deals with Divine taboos & truth, three brief works of Solomon are loaded with interesting & practical RULES of wisdom, folly, & love. Those works are Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. Now Solomon was supposed to be the wisest of the wise of all time. 1 Kings 3:12. Read his works to see why . . .
So, what is the BENEFIT or PRIZE of WINNING?? It’s a matter of finding peace with God and living that way. Minimizing sin & life dominating bad habits. Walking in light & finding the best version of ourselves. Finding our niche of productivity so we can enjoy our labor & benefit from it. Being useful to our family, employer, state, & country. It’s a matter of promoting good health by diet & lifestyle, and generally getting Blessed. Then to inherit the “pie in the sky” (heaven for eternity) which is a mighty fine pie!
-- 2 Chronicles 34:1-3 “Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, . . . in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David his father;” (The best “Rule of the Game” is seeking God early BEFORE we are entrenched in worldliness & “Strong Delusion”, link 173)
-- Proverbs 8:17b “Those who seek me diligently find me.”
-- Psalms 119:105 “Thy word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
-- John 8:12 “Jesus spoke to them saying, ‘I am the light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
-- Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”
-- 1 Corinthians 9:27 “I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." Paul the apostle.
The Bible presents the "Rules of the Game" from cover to cover. It gives examples & principles of winners & losers of all sorts. And J.C. said there would only be a "few" that WIN. Be on the winning team. Choose Jesus, He is Alive. Romans 10:9 "If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." And the Church is there to help us live the Christian life & be Blessed. See also "Set Yourself Up", link 20.
Many other Titles: www.gospelnotes.org * * F. J. Stone * *
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