The following is reported to be
a true story someone found regarding exams at Cambridge University. It seems
that during an examination one day a bright young student popped up and asked
the proctor to bring him Cakes and Ale. The following dialog ensued:
Proctor: I beg your pardon?
Student: Sir, I request that you bring me Cakes and
Ale.
Proctor: Sorry, no.
Student: Sir, I really must insist. I request and
require that you bring me Cakes and Ale.
At this point, the student produced a copy of the
four-hundred-year old laws of Cambridge, written in Latin and still nominally in
effect, and pointed to the section which read (roughly translated): "Gentlemen
sitting examinations may request and require Cakes and Ale." Pepsi and
hamburgers were judged the modern equivalent, and the student sat there, writing
his examination and happily slurping away.
Three weeks later, the student was fined five pounds
for not wearing a sword to the examination.
When we are study the law, we sometimes are careful to
find those things which may benefit us, while trying to ignore the rest. It
happens with the Bible all the time. Ever known anybody who only quoted the
Bible when it was convenient for them ("Judge not that ye be not judged")? They
want to get their "cakes and ale" but ignore the part about "wearing a sword"?
God's Word isn't like a cafeteria. We don't get to go through and pick out which
parts we want and which parts we don't like.
"For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble
in one point, he is guilty of all. For He who said, 'Do not commit adultery,'
also said, 'Do not murder.' Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do
murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those
who will be judged by the law of liberty." (James 2:10-12).
Alan Smith - Boone church of Christ Boone, NC www.TFTD-online.com
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