2. Bending the Rules A gentleman once asked a preacher on a radio program, “Can’t you bend the rules a little bit?” The preacher’s initial reaction to his question was surprise. In the context of a discussion about the need to abide within the truth of our Lord, how could someone ask if it was possible to bend the rules? But upon further reflection, it has become easy to see what would cause him to ask such a question. “Bending the rules” has become a way of life with most people in this day and time. They claim that there are no absolutes. Is it even necessary to mention how people bend the rules when it come to obeying the laws of our land? If the speed limit is 55, most interpret that to mean 60. Have you ever noticed how, in many instances, a yellow light no longer means slow down and prepare to stop – but rather, speed up so you can make it through? I have known people who prefer to be paid in cash in order to avoid any record of income so they can “bend the rules a little bit” when it comes tax time. In sports, coaches and players regularly push the rules to the limit, even “bending them a little bit” if it means they might gain an advantage. In schools with dress codes, students make a habit of seeing just how far they can “bend the rules” and get away with it. “Bending the rules” is common place and people do it daily. In schools with dress codes, students make a habit of seeing just how far they can “bend the rules” and get away with it. “Bending the rules” is common place and people do it daily.

3. God’s view on the subject How does God feel about bending His rules? Rom. 15:4 How does God feel about bending His rules? Rom. 15:4 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Recognizing the values of “whatsoever things were written aforetime” perhaps we can find some indication of how God feels about those who “bend His rules” in the Old Testament. Recognizing the values of “whatsoever things were written aforetime” perhaps we can find some indication of how God feels about those who “bend His rules” in the Old Testament. Cain was evidently a “rule bender”. He offered a sacrifice that was not according to God’s instructions. I am sure that he felt satisfied in “bending the rules” to suit himself, but was God pleased? Gen. 4:5-7 Cain was evidently a “rule bender”. He offered a sacrifice that was not according to God’s instructions. I am sure that he felt satisfied in “bending the rules” to suit himself, but was God pleased? Gen. 4:5-7 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 5 But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell. 6 ¶ And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 6 ¶ And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen? 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him. 7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

4. Example #2 What of Nadab and Abihu? God told the people from where fire was to come for the burning of incense. Nadab and Abihu decided to “bend the rules a little bit” and get the fire from a place other than the one God had designated. They probably thought the incense was still going to burn, and would smell the same. SO what was the big deal? Lev. 10:1-2 What of Nadab and Abihu? God told the people from where fire was to come for the burning of incense. Nadab and Abihu decided to “bend the rules a little bit” and get the fire from a place other than the one God had designated. They probably thought the incense was still going to burn, and would smell the same. SO what was the big deal? Lev. 10:1-2 1 ¶ And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 1 ¶ And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. 2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. The “big deal” was that God had given the rules and these two men “bent” them. The “big deal” was that God had given the rules and these two men “bent” them.

5. Example #3 “Bending the rules” is a product of presumption. We presume since we make it through the yellow light safely, that it is alright, the same as our speed. We presume that if we are not caught breaking the rules, we are all right. Or, we presume that since every one else does it, it is okay. “Bending the rules” is a product of presumption. We presume since we make it through the yellow light safely, that it is alright, the same as our speed. We presume that if we are not caught breaking the rules, we are all right. Or, we presume that since every one else does it, it is okay. Such was the case with King Saul. 1 Sam. 15:3 Such was the case with King Saul. 1 Sam. 15:3 3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. 3 Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass. But instead of destroying all, he “bent the rules” and brought back the best to sacrifice to God, and their king. Vs. 8-9 But instead of destroying all, he “bent the rules” and brought back the best to sacrifice to God, and their king. Vs. 8-9 8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. He felt that he basically did what God asked of him. Vs. 13 He felt that he basically did what God asked of him. Vs. 13 13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. 13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. God’s reply was vs. 11. God’s reply was vs. 11. 11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night. 11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night.

6. Example #3 “Bending the rules” is a product of presumption. We presume since we make it through the yellow light safely, that it is alright, the same as our speed. We presume that if we are not caught breaking the rules, we are all right. Or, we presume that since every one else does it, it is okay. “Bending the rules” is a product of presumption. We presume since we make it through the yellow light safely, that it is alright, the same as our speed. We presume that if we are not caught breaking the rules, we are all right. Or, we presume that since every one else does it, it is okay. Such was the case with King Saul. 1 Sam. 15:3 Such was the case with King Saul. 1 Sam. 15:3 But instead of destroying all, he “bent the rules” and brought back the best to sacrifice to God, and their king. Vs. 8-9 But instead of destroying all, he “bent the rules” and brought back the best to sacrifice to God, and their king. Vs. 8-9 8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 8 And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword. 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. 9 But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly. He felt that he basically did what God asked of him. Vs. 13 He felt that he basically did what God asked of him. Vs. 13 13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. 13 And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of the LORD: I have performed the commandment of the LORD. God’s reply was vs. 11. God’s reply was vs. 11. 11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night. 11 It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night. God evidently didn’t think like Saul had thought. God evidently didn’t think like Saul had thought.

7. N.T. Teaching on the subject In the New Testament we are told not to go beyond that which is written. 1 Cor. 4:6. 2 Jn. 9 In the New Testament we are told not to go beyond that which is written. 1 Cor. 4:6. 2 Jn. 9 6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. At no time is permission ever given to “bend the rules” of God – not even a “little bit”. At no time is permission ever given to “bend the rules” of God – not even a “little bit”.

8. Conclusion A person might be a “bender of rules” all the days of his life and consistently get away with it. But when life is over, so too is the getting away with it. A person might be a “bender of rules” all the days of his life and consistently get away with it. But when life is over, so too is the getting away with it. We can’t bend God’s rules, even a little bit. 2 Cor. 5:10 We can’t bend God’s rules, even a little bit. 2 Cor. 5:10 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. When it comes to moral values that God has addressed, there is no bending the rules even a little. When it comes to moral values that God has addressed, there is no bending the rules even a little. This is true for drinking, dancing, cursing, immodest apparel, etc. You won’t get away with it on that day! This is true for drinking, dancing, cursing, immodest apparel, etc. You won’t get away with it on that day!