JACQUES GAUVIN, RELIGION

Is All Fair In Love And War?

All^s fair in love and war. I^ve heard the expression many times in my life and first heard it when I was a youth. I hated it from the first time I heard it but found that many were living by it. So I had to adapt to the circumstances. I heard another expression; if you can^t beat them join them, another thoroughly aggravating concept that hindered and entangled. Some of them were social misfits and perverts. Without adequate knowledge or armour these proved to be formidable obstacles in my struggle for rationalism and living by truth. These two are not Biblical expressions or concepts.

The Bible states in (Ecclesiastes 9:10): Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. (Ecclesiastes 9:10, NIV). This is rather sobering unlike the two previous expressions.

In another passage (1 Co 9:24-27) it states: 24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Co 9:24-27, NIV).

Notice here another Biblical concept that is not as often repeated or known; verse 27 makes clear that self discipline and abiding by the rules must be exercised in order to not be disqualified. There is a proper and acceptable way to apply your efforts that lead to success, note verse 25. But improper conduct leads to disqualification. This in my mind explains why we have so many divorces. People do not play by the rules and end up getting disqualified. That is the way races work, that is the way marriages work and that is the way society works. That is also the way religion works. That is the way life works.

(Hebrews 12:1-3) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3, NIV).

The Christian race is not a hundred meter dash. It is a life long marathon. We do not momentarily strain then revel and gloat, we persevere. We endure with patience. A Christian in today s world must overcome siblings, peers, parents, teachers, priests, Popes and ministers, just as the saints of Biblical times had to surpass the righteousness of the Pharisees, the religious teachers at the time. (Matthew 5:20)

This world makes great efforts to make much evil fair and acceptable. We are constantly bombarded with advertising enticing us to covet. Movies are often full of violence and adultery. The most popular musicians encourage fornication. The media searches for scandals because it sells. We are encouraged to sympathize with the Palestinians and Moslems and to condemn Jewish ways. The Bible is being shunned or ridiculed. Even third world nations are sometimes devastated by war or by AIDS due to promiscuity. We are being brainwashed into loving evil and hating good, note the path of homosexuality in western culture. It s all good, they say now. How long will it be until they no longer accept good?

It is our duty as Christians to persevere in living by Gods rules, in training ourselves, in applying what we learn and in being pillars of society. Pray and trust in God always that He will keep you alert and safe from the wiles of the Devil.

There are no laws against righteousness, goodness, kindness and charity. These things are all fair in love.

The one who cannot be beat is Jesus, do not fear, join Him.

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