1 Way Only--Playing Church

Playing Church--by Timothy A. & Kimberly B. Southall

Please note: Each scripture is linked to The Bible Gateway. Scriptures will open in a separate window in your browser while this window will also remain open. You can click back and forth between the two windows. Once you have read all of the scriptures, you can close that window.

Too many so-called Christians are just "playing church." Yes, that sounds harsh, but unfortunately, it's all too true. When our actions don't match the guidelines set forth for Christians in the Bible, then we are reduced to simply feigning our religion or "playing church."

Jesus gave clear instruction about actions:

²⁰Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. ²¹Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. –Matthew 7:20-21 (NIV)

If that isn't plain enough for us, then another passage certainly is:

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. –James 1:22 (NIV)

Please give those scriptures some serious thought. Give your life, in comparison to the scriptures, some serious thought.

Do you truly love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength? (Matthew 22:37-38; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27)
Are you continually maturing in Christ and exhibiting more of the fruit of the Spirit–love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? (Galatians 5:22-23)
Do you love others as you love yourself? (Matthew 19:19; Matthew 22:39; Mark 12:31-33; Luke 10:27; Romans 13:9; Galatians 5:14-15; James 2:8)
Do you make it a top priority to meet with and worship with fellow Christians at every scheduled service? (Hebrews 10:25)
Are you devoted to fellow Christians? (Romans 12:10; 1 Corinthians 12:26-27; Galatians 6:2)
Is everything you say helpful, kind, meant to build others up, or to glorify God? (Matthew 12:35-37; Matthew 15:11; Matthew 15:17-20; Luke 6:45; Romans 10:8-13; Romans 15:5-6; Ephesians 4:29; James 1:26; James 3:9-13; 1 Peter 3:10)
Do you encourage fellow Christians? (1 Thessalonians 4:18; 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14; 2 Timothy 4:2; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:25)
Do you go to your brother or sister in Christ to discuss a problem rather than talk about the problem or the person behind his back? (Matthew 18:15-17)
Do you give others the benefit of the doubt as to their motive rather than wrongly judging them? (Luke 6:37; Romans 14:1-13; 1 Corinthians 4:1-5)
Do you speak up or take action when you witness sin or wrongdoing within the church body? (1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Galatians 6:1)
Do you respect and submit to biblically qualified church leaders? (Hebrews 13:17)
Do you always submit to governing authorities and follow all the laws of the land? (Romans 13:1-7; Titus 3:1; 1 Peter 2:13-17)
Do you forgive others? (Matthew 18:21-35; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:37; Luke 17:3-4; Ephesians 4:32)
Do you love your enemies and pray for those who mistreat you? (Matthew 5:43-44; Luke 6:27-28)
Do you pray continually? (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
Do you give thanks in all circumstances? (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
Husbands, do you love your wife the way Christ loved the church? (Ephesians 5:25-33; Colossians 3:19)
Wives, do you submit to and respect your husband? (Ephesians 5:22-24, 33; Colossians 3:18)
Children, do you obey and honor your father and mother? (Ephesians 6:1-3; Colossians 3:20)
Fathers, are you bringing your children up in the training and instruction of the Lord? (Ephesians 6:4)
Do you always tell the truth? (Colossians 3:9-10)
Do you maintain a good reputation? (1 Peter 2:12)
Do you refrain from worrying? (Matthew 6:25-34; Luke 12:22-31)
Do you use your gifts and talents for God? (Matthew 25:14-30; Romans 12:3-8)
Do you do everything in love? (1 Corinthians 16:14)
Do you tell others about Jesus or what He has done for you so they won't have to spend eternity in hell? (Matthew 28:18-20)
Do you truly live your life for Christ? (Romans 12:1-2)

Or are you just playing church?

There's a huge difference between being religious and being a Christian. Being religious is simply following a certain list of dos and don'ts, usually whenever it is convenient and usually because you have been taught or trained that it is the proper or acceptable way to behave. But living that way is just playing church. And if you think that pleases God, you're only deceiving yourself. Being a Christian means that everything you do or refrain from doing is because you truly love the Lord and care whether or not you are pleasing to Him. Being a Christian means that you want to be like Christ and serve His purposes. Being a Christian means leaving your selfish, worldly desires behind and staying focused on Jesus, what He wants you to do, and whom He wants you to become. Indeed, there's a world or eternity of difference between being a Christian and just playing church.

Don't be deceived and reap eternal destruction (Luke 6:46-49). Make the decision right now not to merely listen to the word but to also do what it says, and stop playing church.