day no. 16,314: the rule of Hell and the rule of Heaven

"When, therefore, a man, absorbed in the effect which is seen, has not yet learned to discern those which are not seen, he gives way to fatal habits, not only by inclination, but by calculation. This explains the fatally grievous condition of mankind. Ignorance surrounds its cradle: then its actions are determined by their first consequences, the only ones which, in its first stage, it can see. It is only in the long run that it learns to take account of the others. It has to learn this lesson from two very different masters — experience and foresight. Experience teaches effectually, but brutally. It makes us acquainted with all the effects of an action, by causing us to feel them; and we cannot fail to finish by knowing that fire burns, if we have burned ourselves. For this rough teacher, I should like, if possible, to substitute a more gentle one. I mean Foresight." -- Frederic Bastiat, That Which Is Seen, and That Which Is Not Seen

Experience, generally speaking, is a good thing. If everything you ever did was your first rodeo, it would prove quite difficult. If everyday you were born yesterday, you'd have a rough go of it.

Experience, as Bastiat, points out, is a cruel master, but it is, nevertheless, a grace. The reason you know not to touch the outlet with wet hands is because by God's grace the shock of finding out why you shouldn't do that, didn't kill you. Experience is the grace of having survived your previous foolishness. So, in that sense, we are grateful for experience. And all the more so, we should seek to avoid experience as a tactic. Our strategy shouldn't be to find out later what we should have done. That, in short, is the Rule of Hell. It presents its best up front while doing its best to keep its worst in reserve for later. The Rule of Hell is a rope a dope bait-in-switch. It offers pleasure by disguising the pain, it tempts by desire what it conceals in devastation.

The Rule of Heaven is not so. It does not beguile one into believing in order to backhand it with burdens. The Rule of Heaven comes through the front door in promising that things may get worse before they get better, but assures that the best is yet to come. It forewarns as it foretells. It promises reward and resistance. It guarantees satisfaction and thirst.

John 2:10

Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.

Everyone understands the Rule of Hell by nature. It is how things usually work. No one suffers more harm than they have to. Enter Jesus. Any suffering He endured was more than He deserved and He suffered more than any who ever lived. He displayed the Rule of Heaven in despising the Cross and its shame, but going through it for the joy set before Him on the other end of it. For the glory and majesty of resurrection, He drank the cup of God's wrath set before Him in order to drink from the blessed cup of His Wedding Feast upon His return.

The Rule of Hell is a harsh reality for those hell bent on getting what they want when they want it, but the Rule of Heaven is a hope beyond imagination promised to those who go through the tribulations that pave the path to permanent and perpetual bliss.

John 16:33

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. in the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; l have overcome the world.

Peace is promised, but not before tribulation. Perseverance is encouraged because present darkness will be eclipsed by the Light of the world.

Acts 14:21-22

When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Entrance into the kingdom of God is foretold, but not before a troubled road that leads there. Souls are strengthened and prepared to endure in faith because these various trials and tribulations serve to confirm we're on the right road and to conform us into the image of the One we'll meet at the end of it.