Nick Worth

So I thought this would make for an interesting article because I often find myself explaining to people why I feel its okay to play video games even as a Christian. There are many things to talk about but one positive thing that comes to mind when playing games as a Christian, is the concept of playing like a Christian ought to and the fruit that comes from that.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
1 Corinthians 10:31

Because I give glory to God even when playing video games, I often get opportunities to share my faith. Just as an example I thought it would be cool to share this real life example from a RPG world. (The names have been changed to protect the identity of the player).

Player:
21.04. at 20:11
So do you believe there is a God? you dont have to answer if you dont wish to, i just need to see if there is anyone out there that knows if God exsists.

21.04. at 20:29
never mind

ME:
21.04. at 21:58
That’s a perfectly fine question to ask, of course I believe there is a God. The bible says “the fool has said in his heart there is no God” -Psalms 53:1
One can easily understand the complexity of our biology alone, not to mention mother nature, and the cosmos, etc. it would take more faith to accept anything else then to accept the fact that God created all that. The awesome thing about it all though is to really know God! That He would even consider someone as insignificant as me to be loved by Him is awesome!
Do you know God? Have you ever set out to get to know Him more?

I’m glad you asked, if you have any questions I would be happy to help you find answers. I don’t intend to tell you what to believe, but as you can tell I’m fanatic about what I believe because I KNOW now. I think your own personal relationship with God is the best way to know Him, so if I can help with that in any way please don’t hesitate to ask me.

Xtremefaith

Player:
21.04. at 22:11
Why then does he let us go through so much pain and loss?

Player::
21.04. at 22:20
I suppose the emptiness i feel inside me is the absence of God within my heart. I once new of him..i have become lacking in my faith as i struggle to understand why so much pain is unleashed on the innocent of this world.

Me:
21.04. at 22:26
God allows us to have free will, we get to choose to love him. The unfortunate result of that is that people can choose to not love Him even though He shows us love. Their rebellion, and even my own disobedience is what is known as sin (disobedience towards God), and sin has hurtful painful consequences both in the physical realm and the spiritual. When Adam and Eve first sinned by eating of the fruit that God said not to eat of, (disobedience to God) God then put an angel to prevent them from eating from the other tree that would make them immortal because He didn’t want mankind to be eternal trapped in their sin; this is because God cannot fellowship with sin since He is sinless. Does that part make sense?
So He had a plan of redemption, (a way to pay for our sin because “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is Jesus Christ”) so that we could be saved from payment of sin (death) and have eternal life instead.

To summarize now, the sin that is in the world right now results in pain and hurt for people, that’s why God says not to do certain things. People think God just made up a bunch of rules to be controlling, but truth is, He is all-knowing and therefore knows that those things that He says to abstain from cause hurt and pain. That’s why I think I hear people say that if everyone lived by the commandments then the world would be a better place; that’s true but, people won’t obey those things because it is now our sin nature to not want to. A new life in Christ is what helps you to overcome that, because your love and respect for God will help you to respond against your nature to want sinful things, (that and because God’s spirit lives in you to strengthen you against it).

Does that help you understand? Does that make sense, or did I lose you with that?

Player:
21.04. at 22:29
so is what you’re saying is that i have sinned and fell short of the glory of God?

Me:
21.04. at 23:00
Well ya, me too! “We all have fallen short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23
None of us our perfect and to claim that would just prove the point, so yes to your question.

Just ask yourself or anyone “have you ever lied, stolen, lusted in your heart?” Those are just a few things that God says not to do because of the hurt and pain they cause in the world, so if you confess to any of those you have fallen short of God’s glory. His glory is more then we can comprehend so as a Christian I don’t expect to live up to it, but I believe we should pursue it as a way to live a righteous life, knowing that when I do fall short I’ll fall in the net of God’s grace, and you too if you want that kind of relationship with God.

What do you think? Is God someone you want to know more? Do believe the things that I writing? I have a feeling that you’ve heard some of this before, but I don’t know how your heart has responded before. I urge you to not put something like this off too long, as I said before this relationship is the difference of life and death eternally and I say this not to frighted but to be honest about the urgency to consider what I shared.

Player:
21.04. at 23:09
Yes ive heard these things before. I question my very existence..i forget that God is where to look to find myself and seek the solice that i need so desparately. I thought all one had to do was to ask for forgiveness and let him into your heart. i have done this in the past. Where is it that ive gone wrong…what do i need to do?

Me:
22.04. at 00:22
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” -2 Chronicles 7:14

Accepting that message into your heart is one step, Romans says that if you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord than you will saved. So don’t mistake the importance of what you have already done, you “humbled yourself, and prayed” now ask if you’re seeking his face. I think our conversation alone shows some effort on that, but what are you doing on a daily basis to “seek His face”. As a Christian we’re suppose to read the bible like its the love letters of our soon to be groom. That until the wedding day when we see Him face to face we have these letters to know Him by. I believe God reveals himself through His word, but you have to read it and seek understanding, pray and ask for wisdom. As a Christian you are called to many things, and just living isn’t one of them, because unlike the rest of the world we have a purpose behind our living, a hope for more that the world doesn’t have and can’t guarantee like God can. That’s where the peace through all the hard times in life comes in; yes the economy is bad, but I know the one who’s taking care of me through it all. I care who’s in the oval office but I know that God is in more control then He is. You see how faith dictates my life and choices and peace. I don’t have pickle brains and act like I don’t have to do anything cause God will take care of it all, I know He will but it takes my effort if I want to be used by Him in any of it. Remember what I said in the beginning, we have a choice to love and serve God.

Ask Christ in your heart for all the right reasons, not just because you need to feel something, but realize what he did for you on the cross, and understand that he did it just so that he could be with you and have a real relationship with you, not one where you’re forced to love Him. Tell Him right now in prayer how you feel, there’s no special words, its a relationship. If you’re confused, tell Him, if happy/excited tell him that, if you have a need share it with Him, if you’re ever afraid/concerned He won’t hear you don’t be, read God’s word and remember His promises. He promises He’ll never turn you away when you come to Him.

[players name], what is your real name so that I can pray for you as well, and ask that God would reveal Himself to you that you might see His faithfulness to you everyday

Player:
22.04. at 00:29
thank you My name is _______

Me:
22.04. at 00:57
It was very nice talking with you [insert name]. My name is Nick, and if you need prayer for anything, or help with more questions let me know and I will do my best to be around for you, but let God know it all because He’ll always be around.

*I hear He’s online all the time

Player:
22.04. at 01:14
thank you thats the first time ive smiled for real in a long while .

Me:
22.04. at 01:41
That’s good to hear.

Player:
22.04. at 20:43
Ive found some peace my friend..thank you so much

These opportunities come when you never expect them, and this is one of the few times that I could actually share the conversation since I had all the text. Typically a conversation happens and all you can do is try to share the aftermath of the conversation. I want to encourage you all to give glory in everything you do and then be ready in season and out to share your faith. I don’t know what will be the fruit of some of these conversations but I hope that they lead people to spending some time with God so that He can reveal Himself to them.