This past Wednesday at The Hype, we discussed the hashtag YOLO, which stands for “You Only Live Once.” Following are some of the main thoughts from the lesson:
1. YOLO seems to have a couple of different meanings, but one of the most common is the idea that we can disregard the consequences of our actions. “Going drinking tonight…YOLO.” The idea here is that either our consequences shouldn’t get in the way of what we are wanting to do presently, or else that we don’t believe we will suffer any consequences at all for what we are doing.
2. Sometimes, this way of thinking finds its way into the Church. We tend to believe, at times, that what we want to do right now is of supreme importance. Even if it is sinful and deviates from God’s plan for our lives and behavior, we choose to ignore the consequences in order to satisfy our own desires in the moment.
3. The book of Galatians is all about grace (unearned favor). Paul is writing a letter to the church in Galatia, pleading with them to ignore the Jewish folks who are changing up the Gospel. These Judaizers, as they are called, were telling Christians that in order to have a right relationship with God, they must add to grace the ingredients of Jewish culture. They must still be circumcised and observe Jewish rituals. Paul immediately (chapter 1) claims that there is no other Truth than the Gospel of grace. We are only saved by God’s grace, not through observing religious rituals.
4. While Paul states repeatedly that grace is the only path to salvation, in chapter 6 he lets his audience know that the way we live has a real connection to our spiritual well-being. He states:
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 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. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”
Paul states that our actions (that which we sow) will have consequences, either good or bad (that which we reap). When we continue to act in a way that is sinful, it reaps our corruption. However, when we act in a way that is in line with the Holy Spirit, it reaps eternal life. Our actions are a gauge of our hearts’ condition. If we are spiritually corrupt, then of course our actions will seek to satisfy our own sinful flesh. However, if we have eternal life, we will be focused on the desires of the Spirit within us.
5. When we live as though our actions have no consequences, we mock God. God has made it abundantly clear to his followers that the way we live matters. We see it in every section of Scripture (The Law, The Prophets, Wisdom Literature, Teachings of Christ, Epistles, etc. etc. etc.). If we claim to think that what we sow will not reap any consequences, we have ignored the entire testimony of Scripture!
6. We cannot live our lives as though our actions have no consequences. Every time we commit ourselves to the prodding of the Spirit, our eternal life is made richer. When we give in to our own sinful desires, the cost is further corruption of our hearts. May we reject the #yolo lifestyle in order to realize that there is incredible value in the things we do. May we do good (deeds) to everyone (as Paul challenged the Galatian readers) with the understanding that our actions overflow from a heart that is committed to Christ.
-The Pastor
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