December 16, 2024

Every so often I like to watch the reruns of NCIS. This weekend they have been airing all the Christmas episodes of twenty seasons of the show. This last one I watched was about one of the agents reviewing the rules that their team leader Gibbs had put in place for all the years they were together. They ended the show with remembering Rule 51 – Admit you might be wrong. The agent says that all the rules get broken from time to time and that is when an agent needs to be saved. In life we all break rules and the greatest thing to the Christmas story is that we are saved from breaking the rules. 

I was reflecting on Timothy 4:9-10 that says, “This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.” 

I know sometimes I forget that I break the rules. I am well aware of those who break the big rules and cause harm but sometimes I need to be reminded that I am a rule breaker too. As soon as we forget that we break the rules too and need to be saved is when we fall into a pit in which we cannot receive help. It is only those who can recognize that they need help who will receive it. 

I am not always sure how this works with God but I know from my experience that things change in my life when I remember this trustworthy saying that my hope is in the living God who saves. So to myself and to you, this Christmas reach out and receive that which has been given to you. Receive it in faith for we all break the rules and we all need some help. 

Pastor Aaron 


^