(I use two scenarios to make two main points)
Here are a couple of metaphors that came to my mind as I watched my grandson play Chess on my Android phone. As a loving grandfather (pappy) I want to help him win, but in order to win, he has to make right choices and he has to play by the rules of the game. This is true in life as well. God has given us the power of choice and then He has given us the ability to make right choice. God will save us from our sins, but He will not compromise His holiness to save us.
FIRST SCENARIO
I let my grandchildren play chess on my phone. When the 4 year old plays against the computer I can see what is coming. I can either tell him specifically what will happen, I can alert him by saying, "be careful" or, "pay attention," or I can let him walk into danger, but I cannot always get him to understand the logic that would keep him from a bad move.
I. APPROACHING DANGER
I watch people on the gameboard of life, as they take steps toward danger.
A. Some people cannot be approached because of anger, pride or some other self destructive attitude. We therefore watch, helplessly, as they walk into danger.
B. Some people I can tell, "This will be the outcome, if you make this move."
1. They are responsive enough, and concerned enough that they will accept counsel, correction or caution without taking offense.
2. They are wise enough to understand the reason for the intervention and to act on it.
3. They are humble enough to accept input.
C. Some people are wise or mature enough to make good decisions, once they are aware that there is a potential problem. A nudge to alertness quickens them to examine their options and avoid loss. This can be accomplished through preaching or Bible study or casual conversation.
D. Sometimes it is not a bad attitude that keeps a person from hearing and heeding counsel, instead it is just his inability to understand, due to immaturity or background or previous experiences, and the best/only teacher for that person will be the experience itself.
CONCLUSION: So, I watch and act as I have opportunity, hoping that I can help someone get past the traps of life, as they move toward victory.
Psalms 107:43
(43) Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
Proverbs 1:5
(5) A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
Proverbs 3:5-7
(5) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
(6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
(7) Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
Proverbs 3:33-35
(33) The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
(34) Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
(35) The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
Proverbs 8:33
(33) Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
Proverbs 9:7-10
(7) He that reproveth a scorner getteth to himself shame: and he that rebuketh a wicked man getteth himself a blot.
(8) Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.
(9) Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
(10) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
(There are many more passages concerning God's counsel)
SECOND SCENARIO
When my four year old grandson plays chess on my phone, he sometimes likes to play both sides of the board. I think he figures he has a better chance of winning by doing that. I watch him make moves, and since I offer various kinds of help when he plays against the computer or against a sibling, I sometimes react to a bad move (even when he plays against himself), with an involuntary grunt or gasp. But, not to worry. If he has chosen Black, and has moved his Queen diagonally to a white Pawn, he is not going to lose his Black Queen, because he chooses the moves for the white pieces. Hehehe, sometimes he plays himself to a stalemate, because he might not know how to capture the King.
II. CONVENIENT GAME STRATEGYPeople sometimes live their lives as if there are no rules in life, or as if there are no Divine, immutable principles, by which to live; as if their view overturns God's revelation.
Some people hold to a belief system that espouses the false notion that a moment of faith (sometime in the past) immunizes them from judgment and separation from God, regardless of what they do in this present evil world.
As they move across the board of life, some of them do not plan to avoid temptation or sin, because they figure they cannot be captured by the enemy (Satan).
Sometimes they knowingly move into destructive relationships, activities, attitudes, because they figure they are not accountable for sin, errantly thinking that Jesus paid their debt, past present and future, and, in effect, gave them a license to sin. It is as if they can change the rules of the game.
Life's choices have consequences, good and bad. God has decreed that His people should and can live victoriously. God has decreed that the wages of sin is death, for everyone who does not live by faith.
Romans 2:2-11
(2) But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
(3) And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
(4) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
(5) But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
(6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
(7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
(8) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
(9) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
(10) But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
(11) For there is no respect of persons with God.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
(24) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
(25) And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
(26) I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
(27) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Romans 2:2-11
(2) But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things.
(3) And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God?
(4) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
(5) But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;
(6) Who will render to every man according to his deeds:
(7) To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life:
(8) But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,
(9) Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile;
(10) But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
(11) For there is no respect of persons with God.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
(24) Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
(25) And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
(26) I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
(27) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
