The Rule of Life

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A friend came to visit me one day. As we sat talking, our conversation led to life in the flesh and how fragile it was. We talked about some friends whom had already died and some who were disabled due to sickness and accidents. At that time my friend and I were approaching sixty years old. Suddenly he took a ruler from his belt, pulled it out to where you could see the seventy inch mark. He said a man's life expectancy is about seventy years, providing you do not have a fatal accident. He put his finger on the sixty inch mark and said: Art, you and I are about here on this rule. Look at how much life is behind us and how little we have left. He then said, if we plan to do anything we had better get to it. Even if we live beyond seventy, we might not be able to do too much. I have thought a lot about our little discussion that day. It has led me to put together the scale you see above. It represents those seventy years of life. Where are you on the rule of life? How much have you done for God? What does God want from us? Hosea 6:6 tells us.

(Hosea 6:6) For I desired mercy[1], and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

1 "MERCY": 2617. checed, kheh'-sed; from H2616; kindness; by impl. (towards God) piety; rarely (by opp.) reproof, or (subject.) beauty:--favour, good deed (-liness, -ness), kindly, (loving-) kindness, merciful (kindness), mercy, pity, reproach, wicked thing.

Here God is saying he wants our love and He wants us to get to know him, and for us to increase our knowledge of him. God knows if we get to know him that we will surely love him. How do we get to know more about God? 2 Tim 2:15 tells us.

(2 Tim 2:15) Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

To increase our knowledge about God and really get to know him, we must get into his Word. He is the Word. The more we are in his Word, the more comfortable we become about all things. We can then have a fulfilling relationship with Him.

(Rev 4:11) Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

We all like pleasure and God is no different. Have you brought God some pleasure lately? I ask you again, where are you on the Rule of Life? The next few verses are for something to think about.

(Prov 8:17) I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.

(Exo 20:12) Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.

(Mat 25:15) And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.

(Mat 25:16) Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents.

(Mat 25:17) And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two.

(Mat 25:18) But he that had received one went and digged in the earth, and hid his lord's money.

(Mat 25:19) After a long time the lord of those servants cometh, and reckoneth with them.

(Mat 25:20) And so he that had received five talents came and brought other five talents, saying, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.

(Mat 25:21) His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

(Mat 25:22) He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them.

(Mat 25:23) His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

(Mat 25:24) Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strowed:

(Mat 25:25) And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

(Mat 25:26) His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strowed:

(Mat 25:27) Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

(Mat 25:28) Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

(Mat 25:29) For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

(Mat 25:30) And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

What is man's duty while on this earth?

(Eccl 12:13) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

What is man's duty on this earth? To make a long story short (to keep God's commandments).

God has given each one of us some kind of talent. It don't have to be some great thing in the eyes of man. Just something between you and God. Do what you can. As the saying goes, bloom where you are planted. Start now. It's never too late. That's the nice thing about God, when you realize you need to do something about your life, and for him, and do it, he rewards you well. The earlier you start doing just that, the more blessings you will receive when you get to be with him. Let God be the ruler of your life. He rules all anyway. You might as well enjoy it.

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