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Staying Within the Rules
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1 Corinthians 9:25–27
The most anticipated match up heading into the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988 was the 100 meter dash competition between American Carl Lewis, who had won the event in 1984, and Canadian Ben Johnson. The two athletes easily qualified into the final race, putting them side by side when the starter’s gun sounded. Johnson led throughout the race, crossing the finish line with a new world record. In his post-victory press conference, Johnson said, “A gold medal—that’s something no one can take away from you.” The problem was that Johnson had cheated, and when the mandatory drug test after the event came back positive for steroid use, the gold medal was taken away from Johnson and awarded to Lewis, who had finished second on the track.
There are times when, in the name of expediency or getting results, people are tempted to cut corners and do things they know are not right. Even when these actions are motivated by good intentions, they are always wrong. As Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. put it, “It is never right to do wrong in order to get a chance to do right.” God’s principles and commandments are unchanging, and He does not excuse our violation of them no matter what our motive may be. No amount of work for God and no results justify disobedience to His Word. He will not reward those who excuse taking shortcuts and sin in the name of doing good things for Him.
1 Corinthians 9:25–27
The most anticipated match up heading into the Seoul Olympic Games in 1988 was the 100 meter dash competition between American Carl Lewis, who had won the event in 1984, and Canadian Ben Johnson. The two athletes easily qualified into the final race, putting them side by side when the starter’s gun sounded. Johnson led throughout the race, crossing the finish line with a new world record. In his post-victory press conference, Johnson said, “A gold medal—that’s something no one can take away from you.” The problem was that Johnson had cheated, and when the mandatory drug test after the event came back positive for steroid use, the gold medal was taken away from Johnson and awarded to Lewis, who had finished second on the track.
There are times when, in the name of expediency or getting results, people are tempted to cut corners and do things they know are not right. Even when these actions are motivated by good intentions, they are always wrong. As Dr. Bob Jones, Sr. put it, “It is never right to do wrong in order to get a chance to do right.” God’s principles and commandments are unchanging, and He does not excuse our violation of them no matter what our motive may be. No amount of work for God and no results justify disobedience to His Word. He will not reward those who excuse taking shortcuts and sin in the name of doing good things for Him.
Today’s Growth Principle:
To win the race and gain the prize, we must stay within the limits and boundaries God has set for us.
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