It was years (many) ago that I first became aware of the "game" of life. People involved played the game did so in different manners. Regardless, the game went on whether you decided to play or not. In fact to not play the game meant you had begun your own game. Sometimes the game was forced upon you; especially during childhood. That could be good or bad depending upon the game. One of the realities of the game was the sooner you learned the rules the sooner you could initiate your own game. Sometimes the game was lived on the defensive and sometimes on the offensive. Needless to say, how you played the game determined to a great extent who you were.
For many life became complex and so filled with players and their games. Overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the worlds games resignation followed for many. There were so many variances on the game. In the 60's and early 70's there was the Viet Nam war. Prior to that Korea and the World Wars I and II. History is full of major events that pointed the world in certain directions. From the leadership down the game created and destroyed anyone who would pose as a threat to the status quo. President Kennedy's assassination shifted the world and changed course for all in the United States. Into the future changes took place that were defining worlds and players. So it continues.
What's this have to do with our Christian walk? Everything in our Christian life is defined by points on the map of time. When Jesus came to Earth, lived, died and resurrected over 600 Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled. No one paid attention at first. However, in a short 33 years so many changes took place that the "game" was changed permanently. Christianity was born and still is in existent. Many who believed in this or that didn't have the luxury of a successful past. They simply came and went and the world was barely nudged from it's orbit. Through the years of my lifetime, there have been men and women who have professed that they are the real game. They too have come and gone with only an indexed note of their existence.
Two thousand years later, give or take, here we are. Our world is at war on many fronts, disease is killing faster than the cure can be found, selfishness is at an all time high with most wanting everything as they want it and now! The world is in the process of outlawing Christianity (my opinion) and few raise to the defense of what they believe. Political correctness has become the game to play. If you play well enough you too can swing over to the anti God group. Countless others have tried to change the game and its direction unsuccessfully. Right now the cost of living according to the Bible is so compromised that "churches" are not only preaching but embracing that which God has forbidden.
While I too have enjoyed the offerings of the world, there remains the picture of my being a traitor to what I believe. My only offering is living every day cognizant of what God wants me to do and then doing it. Like so many, I know that there are things I have coveted in my life that God has said "No." to. The Bible teaches us that you cannot have it both ways. You cannot enjoy the fruit of two different trees at the same time. And so many bounce back and forth depending of the demands of the game in their lives. I've done that. I've convinced others to accept the Gospel as well as the worlds game.
Over the centuries mankind has witnessed the fulfillment of many more prophecies that have been embraced by some and dissed by others. I'd love to be able to tell you how much time mankind has before Jesus comes back. However, no one knows the hour. So, mankind who claim to be Christian, are either playing the game of the world or the game with God. The real difference is what happens when those who do not know Jesus receive their life's game award versus those who do know Jesus and the game award for their dedication to the Lord. One gets to go to Hell while the other gets to go to Heaven. Yet, daily people choose to reject Jesus.
In the movie, "War Games" a couple of teenagers hack into a computer program of the government that unleashes a countdown to the destruction of all of the United States enemies. The game, once started, is not able to be stopped. The end game comes when the time runs out. All those involved wait for the "end". The screen goes black and these words appear: "The only game to play is to not play at all." Be committed to Christ is the only decision we need in order to live a good life with the blessings of God. Make the play...
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