Are You Following The Rules?

Michelle Wie, a young phenom women’s golfer was playing the tournament of her career last week in the LPGA State Farm Classic. After three rounds she was in second place. It looked as though she could possibly win the tournament or at least secure her tour card for next year. Then disaster struck. Wie forgot to sign her scorecard after the round. Failing to sign your scorecard results in automatic disqualification. That’s the rule. As small of an infraction as that sounds, when you don’t follow the rules there are consequences you must face.

I couldn’t help but think of the apostle Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 2:5, “…if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.” Friends, God has given us the rulebook in which we are to use. Why do we think that we can alter or ignore God’s rulebook and still expect to win the reward? Let me urge you to study the rulebook that God has given us. Learn how to compete in this life, but learn how to compete according to the rules.