Periodically, someone expresses their disillusionment with Christianity in words to this effect: “I didn’t like being told what I couldn’t do all the time. I was always told, “You can’t go dancing; you can’t go to the public beaches; you can’t drink alcoholic beverages; you can’t wear shorts.” I just got tired of all that. So I don’t worship anywhere, and I do what I want to do.”
What’s the best way to respond to such a person? Some might be tempted to answer, “Those things are not what Christianity is all about.” But such would not be entirely true. Modesty, purity, and abstaining from various forms of worldliness are part of Christianity. Let’s consider some Biblical truths that bear on this problem.
1. True religion has always involved “You can’ts” or “Thou shalt nots.” As early as Genesis 2:17 God told man NOT to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. First, however, he told Adam that he could eat of every tree of the garden; then He placed this one restriction on him. This “you can’t” was not unreasonable; in fact, it was in man’s best interest not to eat of it. The fact that the first pair disobeyed shows something about us. We don’t like any restrictions, whether they number one or one hundred. Let’s face it: we just don’t like to be told we can’t do something. In other words, this desire for total freedom on our part is OUR problem. We need to learn submission, the importance of rules, and that we just cannot have our own way all of the time. We need to learn to enjoy the freedoms God has given us instead of wondering if we aren’t missing out on something better.
Of the Ten Commandments that God gave to Israel there are only two expressed in positive terms: remembering the Sabbath day and honoring father and mother. In addition to “You shall not: murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, or covet,” Israel was also told NOT to take the name of the Lord in vain, NOT to make or worship any idols, and to have NO other gods before Jehovah” (Ex. 20:1-17).
No doubt some thought that this was far too restrictive. Yes, and six weeks later the people violated several of these commandments. Three thousand died immediately. Such is the reward for being a freethinker! The remainder died in the wilderness due to their rebellion against God’s leadership.
Christianity contains a few negatives, also. From Ephesians 4, for example, we read:
“Be angry, and do not sin” (26).
“Let him who stole steal no longer. . .” (28).
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth” ( 29).
“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God” (30).
Of course there are many positive commands, but even loving your neighbor as yourself is spelled out in terms of negatives (Rom. 13:18-10). Do those who despise the use of negatives ever tell their children, “No, don’t touch that”? Hmm. If we see the importance of placing restrictions on our own children, are we not hypocritical to refuse God the same concern for His children?
2. God only prohibits what is sinful and harmful to us. To think that God is holding back from us things that are greatly to be desired is exactly the line that Satan fed Eve in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:1-6). Faith trusts in God to tell us the truth with respect to such matters. The fundamental flaw in man’s reasoning has always been to say: “I know that the Bible defines this activity as sinful, but:
a. I can handle it.”
b. This rule doesn’t apply to me (only to others).”
c. I really need to indulge in this, or I will die.”
Did not Cain convince himself that he really needed to kill his brother. Perhaps he felt that Abel was the source of all his problems and that without him the world would be a better place–at least for Cain.
Did not the otherwise godly David convince himself that he really needed Bathsheba? Never mind that it cost him his sweet relationship with God for a time, that he had several other wives, and that he was compromising his integrity and sacrificing his good example as king.
Did not Achan convince himself that his future would be much sweeter with that Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold? What future?
It never pays to violate the will of God–no matter how desperate, no matter how tempting, no matter how much we hate to be denied something our heart is set on. Consider what God told Israel:
“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in his ways and to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?” (Deut. 10:12-13).
Notice the last three words–for your good. Imagine a God who was drunk with His own sense of power instead of one who is loving.
“Today I want every one of you, each time you arise to walk somewhere, to grab your left ankle with your right hand and hop on your right foot. Plus you have to sing “Polly Wolly Doodle” until you reach your destination. Tomorrow you can walk normally, but you must hold your arms straight out to your sides–even if you are carrying something and whistle the theme from “Star Wars.” Are you grateful such nonsense is not required?
We have not as yet even imagined an evil being in charge of the universe–one who would require to kill or torture someone, as Satanism occasionally requires of its adherents. What if you were required to steal from someone you love? The list could continue.
3. The great freedoms we do have provide satisfaction and abundant joy. Instead of complaining about what we are not allowed to do, we might take a look at what we can do.
We are allowed to dwell upon the forgiveness of sins. Belonging to God involves numerous privileges. If we understand that sin condemned us and sin’s punishment is eternal torment, we might remember to be just a little grateful. Of course, those who do not take either sin or hell seriously will be prevented in strong measure from seeing the value of obeying the gospel. Perhaps we should learn a lesson from the rich man in Luke 16 before, as he was, we are too late wise.
We are allowed to feel happy and privileged that we, who have sinned so often, are called the children of God (1 John 3:1). Looking at our past life with its multitude of sins ought to convince us that we do not deserve such an honor.
We are allowed to be jubilant in the knowledge that “if God be for us, who can be against us” and that “all things work together for good to them that love the Lord” (Rom. 8:28ff).
We are allowed to feel honored to be chosen as “the light of the world” (Matt. 5:16). The world lies in darkness–moral and spiritual darkness. Jesus was the light of the world, and the Word of God serves as light, but unfortunately all that some people will have to look at is us. Frequently, they do not own a Bible, or, if so, are nearly totally ignorant of its contents. Sadly, many of those who would follow God have allowed themselves to be blinded by error.
So, if we have been led to a knowledge of the truth, how blessed we are. But privileges carry with them responsibilities. We must be the light that now shines in darkness, which means that we should not try to blend into the shadows by wearing the same immodest clothing worldly people do or imbibing in the same “spirits” they do. We are not required to participate in the same ungodly things that others do.
Are those worldly things fun? Sure, but they have a down side, like hangovers, social diseases, or AIDS. It is also the case that not all, like the prodigal son, live long enough to “come to themselves” and repent.
How ungrateful God must think us if we are unwilling to give up a few paltry things for the abundant life we can possess here and eternal life at the day of judgment. Jesus asked, “What will a man give in exchange for his soul?” For some, the answer is, “Almost anything.” How cheaply some will pawn what is worth more than the entire world. After about three trillion years into eternity, who will be saying, “I got a good deal, choosing to live 50 years on earth in total ungodliness?” Those who submitted to a few “you can’ts” will still be raving about the bargain they got.