The Big Question 45: Why Are Christians Always So Serious?
Mar 18, 2019 2077
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Why are Christians always so serious?
Well, they’re not. I know some really funny Christians. But if you know some who are always serious, perhaps they shouldn’t be.
The Bible actually says in Micah 6:8, in The Message paraphrase, “Don’t take yourself too seriously – take God seriously.”
Look, I do think that followers of Jesus often take themselves too seriously. And I think that’s because of the wrong ideas out there about what it means to follow Jesus.
The Jesus I follow has the best sense of humour. I have no problems imagining Jesus cracking a joke with his disciples, and laughing with the children as they climbed all over him!
So, now let’s take a look at some more of the things Jesus actually said about how he wanted his followers to live. In John 15:11, he said,
I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
Not so that we would be filled with solemn sorrow, but so that we would be filled with joy!
Another thing Jesus said in John 10:10 is,
My purpose is to give you a rich and satisfying life (John 10:10).
So, Jesus never saw his purpose as giving us miserable and limited lives, but the very best that life can offer!
And in Matthew 11, Jesus said,
Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Let me teach you… and you will find rest for your souls.30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.
So, if that’s true, why is it that – and I have to admit it – there are far too many Christians who seem to be carrying heavy burdens, even huge chips on their shoulders? Makes you wonder, doesn’t it, if they got the memo!
So, let me go straight to the answer to the question: Why are Christians always so serious? Well, not all of them are. But unfortunately, here are some who are serious all the time. Some of them might just have a more serious personality.
But I also think that there are too many Christians who have given Jesus a bad name. Because they haven’t understood the message of Jesus, and because they’ve confused being religious with following Jesus.
When you do that, it’s easy to judge others, and it’s easy to judge yourself. And that can get anyone down!
But when you take God seriously, when you know that you are loved and accepted by God, and that you have eternal life, how could you ever let life get you down?
Well, maybe just a bit, now and then, but not for long!
There’s way too much fun to be had!
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