The Game of Life – Church Edition

game-of-life_church_edition_250I was in attendance at a worship service as people were being baptized. I am always amazed at how many people get baptized several years after they make a profession of faith. I wonder if the church is teaching the meaning and reason for baptism, but that is a topic for another day.

This day, what stood out to me was an older gentleman who shared why he was being baptized. He played the game of life, church edition. He was active in the church, attended Sunday mornings, brought his children faithfully, but when he left the doors of the church, he loved the world. It was not until his life fell a part and he hit rock bottom, that he really turned from the world and began living for Jesus. He played the church game, went to church, was active, said the right things, etc. I’m sure everyone thought he was a believer as they saw him inside the four walls of the church. But on the outside, the fruit was not there.

Never give up sharing the Gospel in the church. You never know who is just playing the game, and not living the life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect

Don’t just play church, if you are a true believer then your life will change as you turn your back on what the world has to offer. It seems that so many professed followers of Jesus have embraced the world and say that it is their freedom in Christ that allows them to do it what they do. Paul writes in Romans 6 that we should not continue to sin so grace may abound. That our life is made new through a new life in Christ, as symbolized through baptism. Our old self is dead, and we have risen seeking to serve Jesus.

Are you playing the “church game”? Convincing others that you follow Jesus when you really follow he world? I urge you to stop playing that game, and seek out who Jesus really is and build hat relationship with Him. Then your need to play the game will end.