Hi ,
Bill Klem was the father of baseball umpires: colorful, judicious, and dignified. He was beyond passionate about
America's favorite pastime, declaring, "To me, baseball is not a game, but a religion." The first umpire to use arm signals while working behind home plate, Bill umped for 37 years, including 18 World Series. He became known as "the Old Arbitrator," a deferential nod to his keen eye for calling balls and strikes.
On one such occasion, as he
crouched and readied behind the plate, the pitcher threw the ball, the batter didn't swing, and, for just an instant, Bill said nothing. The batter turned and snorted, "Okay, so what was it, a ball or a strike?" To which Bill responded, "Sonny, it ain't nothing 'till I call it."*
Unfortunately in the spiritual realm, there are those that
believe that they can call something "sinful" whenever they want to...or whenever something doesn't "feel" right. God has clearly outlined what "sin" is in His word. Religious people DO NOT get to make something "sinful" just by calling it "sinful."
Let's be careful that the people who are watching us actually see Jesus at work
in our hearts...rather than just arbitrary legalism. We might be the only "Jesus" some people will ever see. What a responsibility!
Have a great day and God bless!
