You Have To Play By The Rules

II Timothy 2:5

In our modern day sport program, the idea of sportsmanship is largely ignored. The attitude that “winning isn’t the most important thing, it’s the only thing’ is prevalent. The pressure kids are put under to win is causing serious emotional disturbances in many children. Now it is common to hear statements like ‘if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying’ are common.

The New Mexico University girls soccer player who punched one girl in the back and grabbed another’s hair to throw her to the ground was only doing what she had been taught is necessary to win. It was only one in a long list of such incidents. Several years ago, one figure skater had her competitor attacked and seriously injured to guarantee her own place in the Olympics. Brawls between professional baseball teams are common, as are deliberate attempts to injure other players in football or basketball.

The use of performance enhancing drugs, specially designed equipment, and illegal recruiting methods are rampant at every level in most sports. Some schools are noted for having corrupt officials, and false accusations of misconduct occasionally are spread to eliminate a team that might be a threat.

The idea behind sports was supposed to be to determine who played the best, not who was the biggest cheater. The fact that one feels the need to cheat implies the cheater knows he is not the best player. If he were better he could win without cheating.

Because of the cheating, players and entire college athletic programs are suspended. Olympic teams and contestants have had their titles stripped, and well known players have had induction into the hall of fame blocked. Pete Rose, a famous baseball player is one of those who experienced such punishment. Paul warns that the same is true in serving God.

“And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.” (II Timothy 2:5)

Cheaters assume they can remain undetected and in sports they often do. In serving God, however, there is nothing secret. As Luke 8:17 tells us, “For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.” Hebrews 4:13 that God sees everything that is done. “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

Galatians 6:7-8 stresses that God will not be fooled, but that every person will receive exactly what is deserved as a result. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Pastors and leaders must lead according to God’s plan, not taking advantage of their position for their own benefit. Jesus dealt with the issue in Luke.

“And the Lord said, Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Lu Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath.

But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken; The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.” (Luke 12:42-48)

Notice that Jesus said that the man who didn’t know and did wrong will still be punished, just not as much as the one who deliberately disobeyed. It is the pastor’s responsibility to know what God expects. It is why II Timothy 2:15 stresses study. “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

II Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that the scripture will teach us everything we need to accomplish what God has called the pastor to do. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Actions contrary to scripture are inexcusable. The scriptures are available, and the Holy Spirit will teach us all things according to John 14:26. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” If a man doesn’t know, it is because he has not studied God’s directions, though he may have a college degree in pastoral theology.




Labels: II Timothy draft