Rules That Don't Change

Rules that Don't Change
(Even though some think they have)

I'm a believer in "Universal Laws", because I believe in a universal creator that has written into the fabric of that creation "laws" that make the universe run. These laws are constant and do not change because God who created them does not change. I also believe in a lesser set of "rules" not created by God and not universal but a kind of subset of those laws that we as God's creation have created for ourselves because society needs the rules in order to run. This all sounds very philosophical but its not meant to, its really meant to be common sense which is what most of these "rules that don't really change" are. Let me give you one off the top of my head. Maybe in the future I'll codify these more formally but that's not the mood I'm right now as I write this. (And probably never will be.)

Rule #1. A Duck is a Duck is a Duck. This rule has been around a long time and goes under different names but I like the one that simply says, "If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck it's probably a duck." Today some people don't think this rule applies anymore for example I see people covered with tattoos and piercings who seem offended when I don't assume they are Christian. I always wonder what they want me to think when they so obviously want to attract attention not to their Christianity but to their body. I can't see your heart but I can't miss your huge pagan inspired tattoos. To use the duck rule, If it looks like a freak, acts like a freak and sounds like a freak then it's probably a freak. Hey, revel in your freakishness but don't think that people won't label you with the very label you indelibly imprinted and stabbed on and through your body's members.

In the same vein those who dress immodestly seem to think that it is not allowed to think of them as promiscuous and morally ambivalent when they think of themselves as "sexy Christians." If I use the duck rule and a modern word it will be offensive so lets us a old Biblical word. If it looks like a harlot, walks like a harlot and sound like a harlot then it probably is a harlot!

You may not believe it but the vast majority of people who see you judge you by your appearance. First impression are really important and are very hard to change. If you don't want people to think of you based on what they see on the outside you're out of luck. They always have and always will. That is one reason why we wear clothes that are different when we go on a job interview and when we are working in the backyard. If you don't you're an idiot.

It used to be true of going to church but that is one of the things that some people think have changed. It hasn't and it won't. If you go to church like you're dressed for a barbeque you aren't there to honor or worship God. You're there to relax, enjoy the experience and be entertained. Last time for the rule. If it looks like a bbq, sounds like a bbq and people are dressed for a bbq then it probably is a bbq not a worship service.

You may not like it but really the rule hasn't changed.