Illustration

TOH to Khris who, many years ago now gave me this illustration for living with the "law" of God. In light of Moses' plea to "choose life" I thought it appropriate.

So often these days we hear people invoking Paul to argue that we no longer need to follow God's rules for our lives, but rather can "live by the Spirit." This line of thinking however, taken to its logical conclusion leads to moral relativism and ultimately moral bankruptcy. While it is true that we can take or leave the rules for life which God gave us, and some are more pertinent to our place and time (see rules re: blended cloths and pork) there are still morals, given in scripture, which should be followed.

It is as if God is a lifeguard on the beach. In his wisdom he has setup a perimeter of buoys in which it is safe to swim. He has made these determinations based on the visible conditions above and below the water as well as his experience and expertise in ever changing ocean. As a lifeguard, he makes a promise to you that if you swim inside of those buoys you will be safe (relatively). To go outside of those markers is to take things into your own hands, whatever comes of it, comes of it. He'll do his best to save you should trouble arise outside of the perimeter, but he can make no promises. Additionally, he makes no promises as to our safety within the boarders as swimmers come and go, inviting danger back with them (sharks and the like). "Choose life!" He pleads, "Not only for yourself, but for those who swim with you, by following the rules for the good of the whole."

It is a fairly simplistic metaphor, but it helps me think beyond myself in morality and ethics. The decisions I make don't merely affect me for good or ill (see the Labor Day Collect on pg 261), but impact those who surround me as well. Don't know how well this image will preach to a congregation, but it really gave our students something to chew on when Khris proposed it.