Author’s Corner – PLAYING CHURCH (Part I)

As children, my siblings and I used to play church in our basement.  We would sing and my brother, Gregory, would be the choir director…we used to have so much fun!   Playing church as children may be fun…playing church as adults, however, can have serious consequences. 

Amos 5:21 - 23 says, “I hate all your show and pretense – the hypocrisy of your religious festivals and solemn assemblies.  I will not accept your burnt offerings and grain offerings.  I won’t even notice all your choice peace offerings.  Away with your hymns of praise!  They are only noise to my ears.  I will not listen to your music, no matter how lovely it is.”

While this scripture references Israel, it is indicative of anyone “playing church.”  Many people show up to church faithfully and may even participate in several ministries in church. It isn’t enough, however, to show up to church…to tick that box each week and then go about the rest of our lives living “any kind of way” without understanding what God requires.  

Jeremiah 8:7 says, “My people do not know what the Lord requires of them.”

Does that surprise you that God has requirements?  Yes, however, He does!

Let me share with you a few of His requirements…

Believe

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life”

John 6:28 – 29 – And, the people replied, “What does God want us to do?”

Jesus replied, “This is what God wants you to do.  Believe in the one He has sent.”

Love & Obey

John 14:21, 24 – “Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me.  And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them.”

“Anyone who does not love me will not do what I say.”

Forgive

John 6:14 - "If you forgive those who sin against you, your Heavenly Father will forgive you. But, if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins."

Produce a Harvest (or Fruit)

Matthew 13:23 – “The good soil represents the hearts of those who truly accept God’s message and produce a huge harvest – thirty, sixty or even a hundred times as much as had been planted.” (I would like to suggest you read the entire chapter of Matthew 13 to understand this text more fully).

John 15:1 – 2 – “I am the true vine and my Father is the vinedresser.  He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more.”

Love Others

John 15:12 – 13 - “I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.  And here is how to measure it – the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.”

The reason I wanted to share these scriptures with you is because many people believe once they go forward and join the church or once they confess Jesus as their Savior, they are done…nothing else is required of them. God wants us to accept Jesus as Savior and Lord.   Making Him Lord of your life means that we will 1) love and obey Him, 2) forgive, 3) produce a harvest and 4) love others.  It does not, however, mean trying to “work our way” into Heaven by doing good deeds. 

Salvation is free, indeed.  You cannot buy or work your way into the Kingdom of Heaven.  Once, however, we accept Jesus as Savior, we need to humble ourselves before God, study His Word to understand His requirements and honor him as Lord.  My concern is that many people do not have a clear understanding of this.  Please do not “waste time playing church.”  Let’s learn to obey Him.