A few years ago a popular song was entitled, "The Games People Play." The crooner jeered of hucksters who "sock it to you in the name of the Lord." Sadly, this skeptical view of religious people is reflected in the lives of too many professed Christians.

Following Christ is not a game. True Christians are not "putting on a show" to either fool others or to amuse themselves. The real disciple has "obeyed from the heart" the gospel (Rom. 6:17, 18). He has forsaken all for Christ (Lk. 14:33). He is "crucified with Christ" and lives his entire life "by the faith of the Son of God" (Gal. 2:20). To him, being a Christian is serious, constant business, not an amusing, occasional game.

Dear ones, how earnest are we about our religion? If we profess to be His disciples, yet use foul language (Eph. 4:29), cheat in business (Rom. 12:17), dress immodestly (1 Tim. 2:9, 10), give grudgingly (2 Cor. 9:6, 7), fail to assemble with the saints (Heb. 10:24, 25), fail to study the scriptures, (2 Tim. 2:15) or fail to teach the gospel to our friends and neighbors, (Jn. 15:1-8), are we really serious about living for Christ?

"Play-acting" at righteousness is, by definition, "hypocrisy." The scriptures indicate the Lord takes an exceedingly dim view indeed of such actors (Matt. 15:7-9; 23:13-36). Their threatened lot in eternity is horribly desperate (Matt. 24:51).

I wonder how amusing it will be to hear the Judge of the universe sternly pronounce:

Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels (Matt. 25:41).

How serious are you, dear Christian, about following Christ?

Truth Magazine XXIV: 43, p. 697
October 30, 1980