It Is Not A Game
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles, uncategorizedThe following article was written by Brother Dan Gibson, former preacher for the Montana Street congregation. In his good article, Brother Gibson emphasizes our need to not “play like” we are Christians, but to actually “be” a Christian — believers who are filled with zeal and enthusiasm:
Do we remember how as children we used to play like we were something or someone else that we were not? We’d say, “Let’s play firemen,” or “Let’s play like we’re policemen.”
It is not strange that we as children should live in a fantasy or dream world. There was no reason for our parents to be disturbed because we spent so much time “playing like” we were someone else.
But now that we are grown, most of us with families of our own, it is high time for us to be alarmed if we are continuing to “play like” we are something we are not. Far too many of us approach Christianity as it were a game in which we can “play like” we are Christians.
It is a serious matter, because when any requirement of living the Christian life conflicts with our own desires, we somehow quickly close our eyes and shut our ears and simply ignore that requirement, all the while still thinking that we are good Christians.
It is evident that many are “playing like” they are Christians. When members are “off and on” in their attendance, haphazard in their giving, and neglectful in their service to God, one is “playing like” he or she is a Christian.
Living the Christian life is a very serious thing. Tomorrow is not promised to us (James 4:13-14; cf. Job 7:6-10). Let us be sure we are not “playing like” we are Christians. New Testament Christians are not deadheads, nor are they inactive, complacent, indifferent, or lukewarm.
Rather, they are filled with zeal and enthusiasm for the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58; Titus 2:11-14).
Let’s never “play like” we are a Christian, but be a true Christian, remembering the apostle Paul’s admonition:
“Whatsoever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord” (Colossians 3:23).