According to the Rules

by Terry Wane Benton

Paul said that in athletics no one is crowned unless they “compete according to the rules” (II Timothy 2:5). Being “strong in the grace” that is in Christ (II Timothy 2:1) means we are diligent to operate our lives of faith “according to the rules” unless we don’t care if we are ‘disqualified’ from receiving the prize.

Would we call it “legalism” if an athlete tried to make sure he was abiding by the rules? Would we shame the athlete who studied the rulebook to make sure he was abiding by the rules? If all the other athletes were breaking the rules, should you act like it is no big deal? Should you join in the rule-breaking? When the judges look at the rule-breaker and also consider the conscientious rule-keeper, will the rule-breaker get the prize over the rule-keeper? Will the judges rule in favor of the rule breaker because he judges that he cannot reward rule-keepers because they are awful legalists? Should rule keepers be rejected, while rule breakers be rewarded?

Paul knew he could become “disqualified” for the prize unless he disciplined himself to strive for the prize according to the rules. (I Corinthians 9:24-27). See, true grace “teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts” (Titus 2:11f). Grace is not a license to sin (Jude 3-4), and one is not allowed to “continue in sin that grace may abound” (Romans 6:1ff). Grace teaches us to be servants of righteousness. If we do not abide in what grace teaches, we do not receive the blessings of grace or stay qualified for the prize. Do not let modern teachers turn the grace of God into licentiousness. You must abide by the rules of grace. The prize is more than worth the effort to be qualified according to the rules and to stay qualified according to the rules.