I heard a song on the radio sung by a girl who sounds like a generation
X'er. It was about herself and a boy who just wanted to have fun
drinking in bars and partying all night.
This song represents a motto prevalent in every generation: All
I want to do, is have some fun!
All of us have probably had this attitude to some degree. By definition,
fun is anything that provides amusement or enjoyment.
Of course, we think of fun things like vacations, movies, games,
and sports. But, it depends upon our moral perspective as to what
is fun. For example, most Roman citizens in the second century thought
that it was fun to watch people bleed to death, burn at the stake,
or ripped to pieces by wild beasts - Romans had an insatiable desire
for blood-shed. The majority of Romans also loved anything that
stimulated sexual senses - often women dressed in revealing clothing.
Things have not changed so much. Most Romans only wanted to have
some fun. But the Christians who lived in the second century taught
that it was wrong to engage in this type of entertainment.
Look at things today. The Specialist starring Sylvester
Stallone and Sharon Stone has been released on video. I have not
watched the movie, nor do I intend to watch it. But from the previews,
the rating, and knowledge of the actors I do not have to be a rocket
scientist to guess that the movie is probably full of bloody violence
and explicit nude sex scenes. Perhaps I am wrong but if this is
not the case, why is it rated R and why is Sharon Stone in the movie?
Is not our society in the same moral condition as Rome?
Now think about this: How many "self-professed" Christians have
watched this or similar movies over the last few months? How many
parents, who are Christians, have allowed this or similar movies
to be viewed in their home? Should Christians have anything to do
with entertainment which excites senses of immorality?
God created humans, and God created fun. Solomon and Paul teach
that God made the things of the world to enjoy. Unless they are
enjoyed from a godly perspective, they are vain and foolish. For
example: Relations between a man and woman are good if they are
in the way God intended, otherwise they are evil.
The Bible puts forth that which should be "enjoyable" to Christians.
A Christian's joy is to do the will of God and therefore have joyous
confidence in eternal life. This is demonstrated by Jesus in the
parable of the talents wherein the faithful servants hear the words:
"'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a
few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the
joy of your lord'" (Matt. 25:21, 23). And because of this joy Christians
rejoice in trials (Jam. 1:3), with patience and longsuffering (Col.
1:11), because of their hope (Rom. 5:2-5) of eternal life.
We all like to have fun. There are two types of fun - one leads
to eternal destruction and one leads to eternal life. In what type
of fun are you engaged? If you are engaged in the fun that leads
to eternal death, how much fun will it be to stand before God in
judgement?
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