Chisel Day 4: Playing Games

In the video, of which we are kind of putting ourselves in Tommy’s shoes for a few days, God appears.  Doubting who he is,  Tommy requests God perform to his demands. The response:  “I’m really not into playing games.  Why are you so into playing games?”

A game is an amusement or pastime.  To muse is to think, but to a-muse is to be absent from thought.  Now I know there are some games that are real thinkers…but consider this:  You’re not actually thinking about “real” issues.  You’re moving a piece on a board, evaluating an imaginary situation, or manipulating a video controller that allows your mind to participate in a cause that has no effect or consequence on your real life.  It’s not really thinking.

One of my favorite authors, Francis Chan talks about how we all used to play this game called “Simon Says.”  Whatever Simon says, you do it.  What’s weird is that in the church, “Jesus Says” is a totally different game.  If Jesus says something, you don’t have to do it, you just have to memorize it.  Study it.  Jesus says, “go out and make disciples” and how many of us have intentionally invested in someone this week?  But we memorized it! Imagine telling your kid to go clean their room.  Later you go to evaluate the situation, and the room is still a mess but there stands your child proudly!  “MOM! DAD! GUESS WHAT?!  I MEMORIZED WHAT YOU SAID…..”GO CLEAN YOUR ROOM!”  Puzzled, you respond, “but you didn’t actually do it…” To which your kid says, “BUT I HAD SOME FRIENDS OVER AND WE HAD A STUDY ON WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE IF WE CLEANED OUR ROOM.  IN FACT,  I CAN EVEN SAY IT IN GREEK.  GO CLEAN YOUR ROOM = Pigaínete katharó to domátió sas!”

Why do we think we will come before God someday and quote our way into righteousness?  God is not into playing games.  Why are we so into playing games?   Being the church is more than a pretend, amusing activity we get to participate in a couple hours a week.  It’s more than a strategy game, yet so many of us treat it as “Word With Friends.”  My friend,  living it or not living it does have a real effect on your immediate and eternal life. 


John 14:15, “ If ye love me, keep my commandments.” 

​We only love God when we obey him.  And we only believe the parts of the Bible we are willing to obey.  Frankly,  to God,  it’s an all or nothing deal.