Is it OK to be a Christian and love life, and being glad you're alive, or is it a sin?

Question

Someone once said he had a notion deep inside of himself, that "It ain't no sin to be glad you're alive." He's a type of preacher, but without the robes and somber look on his face. He's a famous musician, and seems to know God better than most church pastors do.

Debra, you try very hard to sound wise, you always have. I just don't understand WHY. It seems to benefit you more than the people you claim to be trying to help. Peace.

Isn't the "pebble" analogy Buddhist in origin?

Answer 1

Is WHAT a sin? Loving life?

Here's the deal: setting aside the RC church's classification of sins into "venal" and "mortal," sin refers to any act that causes the sinner to put him or her self in the place of God. Depending on your point of view, that can cover some pretty broad territory, but you can get a hint from Jesus' warning about casting the first stone, which is to say, judgement of the lives of others IN THE NAME OF GOD, and that would include judging ourselves in the name of God.

This does not necessarily mean that you specifically SAY or even THINK that you are judging someone that way; what's important is whether it IS that way. Whenever you find youself wondering what right anyone has to do or say what they do or say -you're getting close to the problem because -what gives YOU the power to judge? And so Jesus basically told us to pay attention to what we are doing and worry less about judging others.

But that falls into the "don'ts" category. Jesus also answered the "do" question in citing the great commandments, to love God and love your neighbor AS YOURSELF. If we do that, we don't need to worry about constantly checking for violations in ourselves and others. It is hardly any different in ordinary life itself. If you go 55, you don't worry about going OVER 60. Sounds simple, but think about the differing points of view: in one case, you just do what you're supposed to do -whereas in the other case you're constantly trying to "stay out of trouble." Huge difference in your focus.

Intrinsic in the great commandments is a love of life itself; how can you love God and NOT love life? Makes no sense, does it? And so, if what you are doing is to actively love, then you are not only doing a good thing, you are also not wasting spiritual energy just trying to NOT do evil -right?

This theme appears again and again in Christ's life and teaching. Whenever he was confronted with questions about what is right or wrong to do -whether in sincerity or as a test of his integrity, his answers basically said to quit arguing and get to work -God the Father will handle the paperwork, thank you very much.

And this brings us to the rather morbid state of popular Christinaity today, sorry to say. Much of the preaching in the public eye (the stuff on TV) is all about "You'd better do this or ELSE!" which hardly seems an instruction simply to love. But it is the kind of thing that scares the poo out of many folks, who end up writing checks or worring themselves to death about stepping on spiritual landmines somewhere. At some point, many people wonder -and with good cause- whether God put us here to be teased and tortured with all kinds of tricky religious rules -or did he really have in mind that we should enjoy his Creation and take good care of each other, using the very instincts he gave us to do so, without need of referring to the manual all the time?

Which is probably why your musician has an appeal -he seems genuine.

So, the answer is: if it is in your heart to love at all, then it is in your heart to love life fully -it comes with the territory! Go thou and do likewise, someone once said.

Answer 2

You be the judge.

Read :1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19-23; and Romans 3:23-25.

Might also wanna read Proverbs 1:20-33

Answer 3

You seem to have your own ideas and will not except any answer that doesn't meet your preconceived notion that Christian all all sad somber people when that is NOT the truth. So attack us for telling you that our lives are full and happy. That in Christ we have love and joy. We rejoice in being with each other we love music, and laughter even laughing at ourselves. I guess you just have tunnel vision in your view of the church... Jim

Answer 4

Jesus said that he came to give man Life and Life more abundantly...If God is the very center of our lives we will enjoy and be thankful for life,in the way he intended.

It is in rebellion to God to be in love with the "world"(meaning,the mind of the world which is in opposition to God)..What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?

It is certainly not a sin to enjoy God's precious gift of life,in the proper context(it would be a slap in the face to God,to not)

Answer 5

Why would enjoying and appreciating the gift God gave you be a sin? Live, love and rejoice but do so wisely. The only love you keep is what you give away.

Answer 6

In the time that I have become an atheist, it has come to my attention that being such a thing comes with a lot of baggage in the theists world. The non belief of an all seeing, all-knowing imaginary friend cannot be absorbed by the preprogrammed minds of theists.

Answer 7

I have never heard no such thing in my life! Of course it's not a sin to love life as a Christian. Life is wonderful.

Answer 8

It's not only ok, it's what all Christians should strive for.

St. Paul said "I have learned to be content in whatever situation I find myself."

Never forget..."Gospel" means literally "good news" so let's be happy about it!

God bless.

Answer 9

There is nothing wrong with enjoying life as long is you are living it to glorify God.

Answer 10

My Grandmother always said it is holy and serves God only when you suffer and live humble like a dog.