Session 14

Play by the rules? No thanks.

From 2 Corinthians: 21-Day Bible Study

Have you ever been playing a game with a friend that likes to pick and choose the rules? There may be rules that end up taking too much time or effort, and they think the game is just more fun without it.

This isn’t such a big deal when playing a game, but sometimes we can do this with our commitment to walk with God. And, that is a big deal.

This isn’t such a big deal when playing a game, but sometimes we can do this with our commitment to walk with God. And, that is a big deal.

Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians that we have to be committed to God through everything — the good and bad. We are commanded to fully commit ourselves to God in every aspect of our lives. It can be easy to love God when things are going well. But as soon as something bad happens at work, in our families, or in our relationships, we’re drawn back to things that keep us from giving ourselves wholly to the Lord.

Picking and choosing the areas of our life where we obey God is something we all struggle with, but God gives us hope through the hard seasons. We see starting in 2 Corinthians 5:14 that God asks what unbelievers and believers, light and darkness, or the temple of God and idols all have in common. Then He says of believers:

“I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from them and be separate...” (2 Corinthians 5:16-17).

Be encouraged, because God is with you even when you don’t feel that you are with Him. Draw close to Him, and ask Him to give you the boldness and strength to live a life wholly committed to being a child of God, even during hardships and trials.

Reflect:

• What’s one area of your life you have not fully committed to God?
• Do you notice that you act more fully committed to Him during different seasons of life?
• What is one thing you can do to be more committed to the Lord during hard times?