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QUESTION 14:
Is it right for Christians to go to church on Sunday and then go out to play ball or hockey after?

ANSWER:
One would hesitate to answer this for fear of being branded a legalist; but an answer is needful. The standard amongst Christians is no higher than among the unsaved. Many smoke and drink the same brand, do the same things and use the same language. There are two angles in viewing this problem. The Lord's Day is not the Sabbath. It is mentioned only once in Revelation 1:10. There John is said to have been "in the Spirit on the Lord's Day." This means he was occupied with the things of the Spirit of God. It would hardly be possible to be in the Spirit at a ball game. It would also be difficult to be in the Spirit at the meeting before the ball game. One would be more apt to be occupied with how to compete and win the game, instead. It is not likely that there is any one thing that is taking people away from the Lord, more than sports. The spirit of competition, and to the desire to win, is so possessive that it is keeping and taking people away from the Lord. Paul rightly said, "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient(profitable): all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." 1 Corinthians 6:12.

You cannot serve God and these things too. When things control you, your life is out of control. Whether you are saved or not, let God have His way in your life. Yield yourself unreservedly to Christ as your Saviour and let Him control your life. If you do, you will not be at the ball game. Anything that takes a Christian away from the Lord is wrong.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen