We all hear about the Big "Yes" in the Christian life quite often, "have you said "yes" to Jesus Christ?" We hear a fair amount about other "yes" answers in church as well; "Yes, I will feed the homeless." "Yes, I will donate coats this winter." "Yes, I will give my time and talents to a ministry." "Yes, I will attend services, Bible studies, picnics and church camps." (How often those "yes answers" are actually followed through with, or seriously meant in the first place, is another matter altogether.)
But we don't hear nearly enough from many pastors and teachers about what a Christian should be saying "No" in answer to; for such things can make some parishioners and possible converts uncomfortable. All the more reason they should be talked about. We should hear Christians making such statements as these more often; "No, I can't go to the movie, it glorifies violence and adultery." "No, I don't watch that sitcom, the humor is vulgar." "No, that music isn't allowed in our home, it encourages violence." "No, I won't cheat on my wife, I love her and I will be faithful." "No, I don't over-indulge in drinking, it is against my faith." "No, even though I'm single, I won't live a sexually immoral life, it is against my beliefs." "No, I won't ignore cruelty in this world, it is my job to stick up for the weak." "No, I won't tell crude jokes, God doesn't find it funny and neither do I." "No, I won't read that book, I don't care if it is popular, it is crude."
Sometimes living the life Christ has called us to involves saying "no" to the wrong things as much as it involves in saying "yes" to the right things. Do you say "no" to the things in this life that you know God doesn't approve of? If you contemplate in every situation whether you would be comfortable watching that movie with God beside you, or reading your book aloud to Him, or having Him listen to your music, or...well, you get the idea... if you truly contemplate it you will find yourself living a life that is closer and closer to what God wants for you. He wants you to live a life free from shame, from sin, from taint. God wants you to be able to enjoy good relationships, good food, good books, good activities, and His ways are always best.
Are you saying "no" to the questions and life circumstances you should be rejecting? And are you saying "yes" to all that God calls you to be?
God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler
But we don't hear nearly enough from many pastors and teachers about what a Christian should be saying "No" in answer to; for such things can make some parishioners and possible converts uncomfortable. All the more reason they should be talked about. We should hear Christians making such statements as these more often; "No, I can't go to the movie, it glorifies violence and adultery." "No, I don't watch that sitcom, the humor is vulgar." "No, that music isn't allowed in our home, it encourages violence." "No, I won't cheat on my wife, I love her and I will be faithful." "No, I don't over-indulge in drinking, it is against my faith." "No, even though I'm single, I won't live a sexually immoral life, it is against my beliefs." "No, I won't ignore cruelty in this world, it is my job to stick up for the weak." "No, I won't tell crude jokes, God doesn't find it funny and neither do I." "No, I won't read that book, I don't care if it is popular, it is crude."
Sometimes living the life Christ has called us to involves saying "no" to the wrong things as much as it involves in saying "yes" to the right things. Do you say "no" to the things in this life that you know God doesn't approve of? If you contemplate in every situation whether you would be comfortable watching that movie with God beside you, or reading your book aloud to Him, or having Him listen to your music, or...well, you get the idea... if you truly contemplate it you will find yourself living a life that is closer and closer to what God wants for you. He wants you to live a life free from shame, from sin, from taint. God wants you to be able to enjoy good relationships, good food, good books, good activities, and His ways are always best.
Are you saying "no" to the questions and life circumstances you should be rejecting? And are you saying "yes" to all that God calls you to be?
God's grace be with you,
Fr. Charles Butler
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