Cheating is wrong . . . unless it doesn't help you win.

Nobody likes double standards.

Very few people are open to the thought that they may be living according to a double standard.

Double standards bore a hole in our character in such a way that we lose trust and credibility.

Yet, not one single person alive can claim to be without some sort of double standard.

As Major League Baseball finally got started last month, Covid helped overshadow the darkness that surrounded it - the cheating scandal of the Houston Astros.  Ever since MLB began before 1900, people have been cheating to some degree in order to get a little advantage.  Even today, sign-stealing is normal.  You put down signs as a catcher and I will try to read them as I'm a baserunner on second base and somehow relay them to the batter.  This is why they switch up signs when runners are on base.  It is a part of the game.

Houston Astros players took it too far.  But, does it deserve the death threats and former players  guaranteeing that Astros batters will be getting hit all year?  This quote from a current pitcher seems to sum up the mood of the hundreds of players who have spoken out: “I’m not going to let them forget the fact that they are hypocrites, they are cheaters, they’ve stolen from a lot of other people and the game itself."  For a system that identifies winning World Series with success, is it any wonder that people do (and always will) see what they can get away with in order to win one?

With this in mind, let me ask you one question:  Would there be this outrage (or even the investigation at all) if Houston did not win the 2017 World Series?  I think it's safe to say that it would not be the shadow that it is on the 2020 season nearly like it has.  You can do whatever you want in your sport, in your profession, in your large university, but if you end up succeeding AND you get caught, you'll hear it from the rest of us.  We really don't care about right and wrong, when it comes down to it, because, guess what, we've all done wrong, we've all either sought to get ahead or looked the other way when we knew that someone else did.

Psalm 73 addresses this concept of human behavior.  The writer didn't like the fact that people were doing evil and getting away with it.  Who would like that, right?  He returned to his senses when he declares near the end, "Nevertheless, I am continually with you."  When our standards seem to be double-standards, admit it and return to the God of focused standards.  When life seems unfair, to any degree, run to the Rock that is higher than us.  Ultimately, humility is the best answer:  "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalm 73:26. 

God's standards, thankfully, are always the same and they are never contradictory to each other.  Yes, we get confused on what He's doing and what He's up to, but that's on us, not Him.  Run to the Rock, God Himself.

The Beauty of Submission

I can hardly wait 'til I meet with John, because I know he's going to confront me on my gambling problem, which I don't think is a problem.  In fact, I'm really looking forward to hear his side of the debate on whether it's a sin or not to spend hundreds of dollars on these sites, which is just another form of entertainment, really! 

Does this quote look familiar?  Probably not.  If we're involved in something that may or may not be wrong, yet enjoy it and justify it's existence, the last thing we invite is someone's opinion that it's an outright SIN.  I mean, how rude of them, right!  When is it right, if ever, to confront someone with questionable behavior?

Allow me to give you another sports analogy.  A professional baseball player is going through a hitting slump (all of them do, by the way).  At the same time, the hitting coach notices that he is reverting back to some old habits that are contributing to the slump.  What is the coach's responsibility, at this point?  Some would say that it depends on who the batter is and on what kind of instruction this coach has provided in the past for this batter.  Some would say that, since he's the hitting coach, he has the right and obligation to approach the batter and explain what he sees.  Somehow, someway, he does need to let it be known what is clear to him even if these things are undetected by the batter or even others.  One main reason is because THAT IS WHAT HE'S THERE FOR!

Now, the batter has a choice as to what he does with this information.  The beautiful, attractive part of him deciding to listen and put into action what the hitting coach says is that he is willingly saying, "I don't have all the answers and I need others to help me." As a result, the other players see his example of humility (always beneficial), the team benefits from his increased production, and the hitting coach is affirmed in his role, giving him more confidence and courage to address other things that his hitters are doing wrong.

A church, in the true, biblical definition of the word, is a gathering of people who are like-minded about who Jesus is and what He accomplished on the cross and in his resurrection.  It's a group of people who all recognize their need for Jesus' death to cover the consequences of their sin (eternal death and punishment in hell) and their need for Him to give them power over the daily struggle with sin.  This is why the Bible gives over 40 direct commands relating to "one another."  A church that gathers without submitting to each other or supporting leadership that can wisely address sin is not, technically, a God-honoring church.  Rather, it become a club where each person has their own interests in mind or a service organization where they provide physical help without offering any spiritual help.

Again, the beauty of a group of people submitting to one another and it's affirmed leadership can be equated to the beauty of a team where each person practices hard, knows their role, and corrects their issues so that the whole team is seen as a "well-oiled machine" by the end of the season.  It's beautiful because it's a WHOLE, not just a bunch of individuals.  It's beautiful because people learn to look out for each other.  It's beautiful because THAT IS WHAT THE CHURCH IS THERE FOR! 

As a conclusion, let it be noted that when submission is ugly, it's because, in our first example, the player wants to do it himself and refuses (either passively or actively) or the coach demands change or simply does not seek input from others or the player.  In both cases, there is no submission, only rebellion or heavy-handedness.

So, first submit yourself to Jesus Christ, acknowledging your sin and need for Him as Savior.  Next, submit yourself to a God-fearing, Bible-driven, Jesus-honoring group of believers by committing to a local church.  The beauty that is produced will be truly amazing!

There's no such thing as an easy play

What a great day that will be when all the questions, problems, and issues can be answered simply and thoroughly. What a great day that will be when everyone's goal is the same. What a great day that will be when there's no jealousy, envy, or strife. What day am I talking about? THE day that makes all other days make sense. I don't know about you, but I find myself, often, faced with the all-to-common feeling of, "Why can't I ever seem to get a handle on things?" As I'm coaching 7th grade baseball, a theme has come back around often: There's no easy play. As I've reminded them about this fact, I've seen some improvement at not taking any play for granted, at being ready for whatever may come our way and, most importantly, at keeping our heads in the game. After every out, everyone needs to be telling everyone else how many outs. Whenever the situation changes everyone needs to know how that changes what they do as a batter, runner, pitcher, or fielder. Only in baseball can you go at such a pace that you're able to take inventory and consider your options. With all the issues, questions, strife, and change, we need a down time in which we take inventory and consider our options. That down time should not only be a purposeful slowing down, but it should also be a reminder of what the situation is and how we ought to respond. Among other things, we need to remind ourselves of basic truths about THE day: God is in control of it, I am not. God wins and I want to be on the winning side. Today will matter only if it's been lived under His mighty hand. In this life (before THE day), there is no such thing as an easy day, an easy answer, or an easy way out. Yet, as we submit to the One in control, may this life be full of joy because you're on the right team.