According to the Rules

"And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." (2 Tim. 2:5)

Earl Palmer once told the story of an event at a girls' basketball game. “In the last seconds of the game, a girl threw a basketball the entire length of a basketball court and she made the basket. But, it didn't count because she had one foot out of bounds, beyond the line at the other end of the court. Talk about the three-point shot! She threw it further than a whole court. She should have gotten five points for that shot. They should have a whole new scoring system! But instead, it did not count because a referee noticed that one foot was outside the line. She was actually farther than she had to be. It still didn't count.”

In that last great day, many religious people will be condemned because their faith and practice was not in accord with the law of God. Yes, they were very religious and yes they did many wonderful works in His name; yet, they will be rejected because they were not serving God “according to His rules.” Remember, friends – Jesus said, “Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (Matt. 7:22-23).

Aaron Veyon