Caricatures of Christianity

by David Gibson

What some think

The Christian life has been portrayed as a dreary affair. While worldly folks are having all the fun, Christians have to get up on Sunday mornings and go to church and be good all week. They can’t do this, and they can’t do that. Boring!

“For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead” (I Peter 4:3-5).

What they fail to see

• When we do right, we have the advantage of a clear conscience (Acts 24:16; I Timothy 1:5, 19). The conscience is designed to warn us when we do wrong. But isn’t it far better to do right and not have to deal with the accusations of an aggrieved conscience?
• When we do right, we can enjoy a good reputation. “A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches” (Proverbs 22:1).
• When we do right, we don’t have to live in fear of the consequences. “For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:7-8). “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1).
• When we do right, we have God’s approval—and His powerful help! “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him” (II Chronicles 16:9).
• When we do right, we enjoy the abundant life Jesus came to give us (John 10:10).

“Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (I Peter 3:10-12).

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us” (Romans 8:18).

John Newton’s stirring hymn, “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken,” reminds us of what we truly possess:

“Let the world deride or pity, I will glory in Thy name.
Fading is the worldling’s pleasure,
All his boasted pomp and show;
Solid joys and lasting treasure
None but Zion’s children know.”