In a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals a fan rushed onto the field and attacked the umpire. While it is true that we sometimes say, “Kill the ump” we are never serious! It is all part of the baseball ambiance. The ump is the law on the field and obviously the fan did not like the law, at least the way the ump called it.
Does that remind you of those who don’t like God’s law? While it is true the law is neither the means nor the method of salvation its principles are forever the standard of righteousness in God’s kingdom. When we accept the grace of Jesus the law is written in our hearts and educates us in the manner of living a Christ like life. No longer do I want to kill or steal. No longer do I want to tell bad stories about my neighbor or take God’s name in vain. I want to be like the one who died for me and He did not do those things.
According to Jesus it all boils down to two basic principles: love God with all my heart and love my neighbor. The way I love God is to love my neighbor so it really come downs to one principle. Philosophers argue about the existence of absolutes. There are no absolutes. That is plural. There is only one absolute. If we could understand we would never want to “kill the ump” for we would know “the ump” is the key to the abundant life for everyone.
Written by Roger Bothwell on April 22, 2003
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org