“God is a cosmic killjoy. He only wants to take the fun out of life.”
I’ve heard it and I suspect you have as well. It is usually stated by someone who thinks fun is found in the unlimited and unfettered living without rules. Or guide lines. You know how that goes: “I want to live my life, my way, my rules.” May I say bluntly: that is the way to ruin and misery?
This morning I read the following:
Of all the lies proclaimed in the world around us, one of the most widely believed is that any limits imposed on personal freedom amount to oppression. This is perhaps most clear in the realm of sexual morality, where the only thing off limits seems to be the setting of limits itself. The tragic irony is that this so-called freedom is in truth bondage to sinful desires, and it results not in wholeness but in broken bodies and broken hearts. (Truth for Life-Alistair Begg- Volume 2- p.69)
I put a big “True” in the margin. In fact, I certainly can’t state it any better or clearer. Our culture lives in direct opposition to that truth. We THINK that if we have an unfettered lifestyle, where there is no right or wrong and no one to tell us there is, that we will be better off. We will be free to go our own merry way. God? Who needs God? He just tells me what I am doing is wrong! Here’s the thing: if God is saying something is wrong and wants us to avoid it, He is telling us for our good. He knows the heartache and the headache that will come if we choose to follow our own way. But like so many other things: we think we know better. So we call Him the “cosmic killjoy” and then move on to our empty life that will only end in disaster (or hopefully an awakening to truth before we fall big time). Can we really justify calling God a cosmic killjoy when we see drug addiction, and alcoholism, and gambling addiction, and porn addiction, and other controlling actions spiraling out of control in our lives and in our culture?
I think not. While it may appear that God is taking or trying to take all the fun out of life, He actually loves us too much to let us go off on our own without some type of warning or guardrail. I hope you will see Him as a loving Father who cares deeply for you.
So many people have wrecked their lives by not living by God’s “rules”. Like you said, God gives us these restrictions and guidelines for our own good–like telling your child not to touch the burner on the stove or encouraging them to study for tests. If they ignore these restrictions and guidelines, they end up burnt or failing. God is just trying to save us from our own willful, short-sighted selves!
You are spot on Pam. My youngest brother, didn’t pay attention to my mom’s words and touched the stove (that was before they were insulated). Burnt both hands. Yes, don’t ignore God’s restrictions and guidelines.
God is the only place where true joy can be found, Bill. The lies of this world have led so many people astray and they only lead to destructive ends. May we all commit our lives to following Jesus and live for the Lord.
Blessings!
I say AMEN to that Martha. I keep wondering how long it will take us to remember the devastation caused by “going our own way.”
A corollary: The statement “God just wants me to be happy,” typically used to justify behavior. A Christian friend once used it to justify an affair and walking away from her husband and young daughter.
Sadly that is used more than I care to think about. Thanks for the additional thought.
Growing up Catholic and just going through religious customs, and not really understanding how to have a relationship with God, I can promise you if I could go back in time and change that I certainly would. When you understand who God is and how much joy and love is waiting for you in a relationship with Him, there is truly no greater gift.
I’m in agreement with you Gail. There are times I wish I could back and say, “I’m sorry” to the people I hurt with my narrow approach to the Bible and how they should live their lives (when mine was less that stellar).