My favorite sport, baseball, is embroiled in a bit of a rules controversy these days.  Several players have accused a former team of going beyond conventional means to steal opponents signs. 

Each team has elaborate systems of signs the players use to communicate strategy with each other.  The accusers claim their former team used hidden cameras to eavesdrop on signs.  Then, they communicated to team mates what their opponents planned to do.  Sign stealing has always been part of baseball, but always through more natural means.

These allegations cast dispersion on the accomplishments of some gifted athletes on the accused team.  Some may attribute guilt by association to players who may not have participated in the alleged cheating. 

Sign Stealing and Life

Athletes have long had the reputation of rule benders.  In fact, some would say, “If you aren’t cheating, you aren’t trying.”  Participants want to see how far they can push the envelope before someone catches them.

While that may be a common practice in sports, it is not acceptable behavior for a Jesus follower.  Jesus calls us to live to a higher standard.

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…

Philippians 2:14-15

Blameless.  Innocent.  Without blemish.  Straight in a crooked culture.  Shining through a dark world.  Jesus knows we will never achieve perfection this side of eternity.  But He does want to enable us to live differently than the culture around us.

Living by the Rules

I am not sure how many studs there are in our house, but I know there are many.  Compared to the whole structure, one board seems insignificant.  But the framework of a house consists of several of those individual insignificant boards lined up in order.  So also, our lives consist of a collection of “little things.”

When we take a “shortcut” or two in life, we may think it harmless.  But shortcuts tend to accumulate.  We can grow comfortable bending the rules in seemingly small circumstances.  But eventually we expand our definition of small to include increasingly larger circumstances.  One compromise of a lesser degree often leads to more compromises of greater degrees.

So my challenge to you (and especially to me) today is to mind the little things.  Be above reproach.  Don’t engage in things that fall in some fictitious “gray area.”  Be children of the light. 

Give more than is necessary. 

Do more than is expected. 

Go further than is required.

Love more than is deserved.

READ MORE:

Why Can’t We Follow Simple Instructions?

The Character of a Christian: Above Reproach