FAITH IS NOT A GAME: Why W e Take God at His Word
We don't play games. We simply refuse to edit God's message. To love God is to respect what He said (the Word) and to use the intellect He gave us (the Mind) to obey Him.
We hear the criticism often. People say the Church of Christ plays "Word Games" because we insist on biblical definitions. They say we play "Head Games" because we emphasize logic and study over raw emotion.
But is taking God seriously a game?
Here is why we stand firm on both the "Word" and the "Mind."
1. It’s Not a "Word Game"—It’s the Seed Principle. In Luke 8:11, Jesus gives us the law of the Kingdom: "The seed is the word of God."
We know how this works in nature: If you plant a watermelon seed, you get a watermelon. If you plant a pumpkin seed, you get a pumpkin. You cannot plant a pumpkin seed and "pray" for it to become a watermelon.
The spiritual law is the same. Like begets like.
If we change the definitions—if we change the meaning of "baptism," "church," or "worship"—we are genetically modifying the seed. A modified seed produces a different crop (a denomination or a social club), not the New Testament church. Precision isn't a game; it is the only way to ensure the harvest is pure.
2. It’s Not a "Head Game"—It’s the Great Commandment.
Critics argue that using logic and reason is "legalistic" or "unspiritual." But Jesus commanded us to love God with our whole being:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with ALL YOUR MIND.” (Matthew 22:37)
God invited us in Isaiah 1:18: "Come now, and let us reason together." The Bereans were called "noble" in Acts 17:11 not because they had a vague spiritual feeling, but because they "searched the Scriptures daily" to verify the truth.
Using your head is not a game; it is your defense against deception. Emotions change. "Vibes" fluctuate. But the truth of God’s Word is an anchor for the soul.
The Bottom Line We don't play games. We simply refuse to edit God's message. To love God is to respect what He said (the Word) and to use the intellect He gave us (the Mind) to obey Him.
"Hold fast the pattern of sound words..." — 2 Timothy 1:13