UNPACK This...For MLB FansSample

"Questioning The Rule Changes" Every year, Major League Baseball and the players association propose rule changes in order to enhance their sport. At the start of any season, rule modifications are met with some resistance, but looking back to when Commissioner Rob Manfred made a push for pace-of-play changes to speed up the games, there was considerable opposition. #### Chicago Cubs’ third baseman, Kris Bryant, commented, "The game's been the same to me since I was young, so I don't think there's anything wrong with it. It is a long game and we play 162 games a year and there's more strategy involved with it. I think it could be a slippery slope once you start changing all these things.” There’s something to be said about staying true to the game and sticking with the rules in place, and perhaps “it could be a slippery slope.” The desire to add and take away baseball rules reminds me of the way many view God’s Biblical principles. We might not like all of God's commandments, so we either alter them to fit our lifestyle or pick the ones we want to follow. This can become a "slippery slope" if we don't accept the authority of God's truth in Psalm 19:7 (NLT): "The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple." God does not give us rules and guidelines that are meant to ruin our lives, but instead, He shows us His love by setting parameters for our good and His glory. His timeless principles protect us from harm, so we can’t allow cultural opinions to make us question God’s infallible Word. 2 Timothy 3:16 (NLT) says, "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.” Life continuously changes and baseball, as we know it, may too. But God remains the same and the truth of His Word provides “rules” worth following. Today, let’s stand on the authority of Scripture and rest in the grace that’s found in Jesus. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please give me the proper view of Your Word and help me stand firm when the outside world wants to discredit Scripture. Please fill me with wisdom and understanding as I read and follow Your Word. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.