If you’ve seen the movie Nacho Libre you are aware that Nacho (a Catholic Priest) has an interesting take on serving God. We get a view into his thinking during a scene where he breaks up a group of wrestling orphans. Hint: Put on your best Nacho accent while reading the following.
Nacho: Ok. Orphans! Listen to Ignacio. I know it is fun to wrestle. A nice piledrive to the face… or a punch to the face… but you cannot do it. Because, it is in the Bible not to wrestle your neighbor.
Chancho: So you’ve never wrestled?
Nacho: Me? No. Come on. Don’t be crazy. I know the wrestlers get all the fancy ladies, and the clothes, and the fancy creams and lotions. But my life is good! Really good! I get to wake up every morning, at 5AM, and make some soup! It’s the best. I love it. I get to lay in a bed, all by myself, all of my life! That’s fantastic! Go. Go away! Read some books!
I have a hunch that is how many in our world view God. He is a cosmic killjoy who wants to reduce life down to a bunch of rules and regulations that strip the fun out of everything. He is not the God who said to Adam and Eve “I’ve given you all these trees to enjoy. You have the freedom to eat from any of them except just one.” Instead, He is the God who said “I’ve put all these beautiful trees in the garden but you can’t eat from any of them except for one, it’s that scraggly old, shriveled up thing in the corner. You know, the one with the bitter tasting fruit that you hate.” The conclusion is, serve God and that’s what you get. You get Nacho’s God, the one who condenses life down to making soup every morning at 5AM and gives you a lonely bed for the rest of your life. So go away and read some books!
But is that really what God is like? The Scriptures paint a very different picture. Search the NKJV concordance for various forms of the word “joy” and you’ll find 120 verses in the New Testament alone. He is the God who commands us to have joy and tells us He has given us all things to enjoy. If I’m reading my Bible correctly, God is not a killjoy He is the ultimate joy giver.
The Biblical God is not Nacho’s God, He is a loving Father who enjoys the laughter of His children. What an important message for a world that is being overwhelmed with bad news. There is some good news, joy is still available. You receive it as a by-product when you draw near to God through faith in His Son.
Rom 15:13 (NIV) May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
John 16:24 (NIV) Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
John 15:11 (NIV) I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Phil 4:4 (NKJV) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
I think when we stop walking in the Spirit (which is living out the true Christian life) then we resort to one of two extremes: legalism or license. Now on the subject of legalism, I see so much of it in the Church today. I have come to hate false Christianity. I have a low toleration for it and for false spirituality with all their rules and liberties denied. They/it is misrepresenting our Lord and His Kingdom. One could mistake it for the real thing and be confused. Just think of all the baby Christians that watch and learn from those around them. I would hate for them to pick this up. I too am confronted with this synthetic, rubbery brand of false spirituality and it sickens me, although I do love the people it has possessed. It is because of wrong teaching. Not only just wrong teaching but teaching with a wrong emphasis. It We need a revival of what it means to be an authentic Christian. It is no cookie cutter image for sure! God loves diversity and variety and he wants His children to use their minds instead of conforming to one narrow view. Just my thoughts.
Nacho: I’m not listening to you! You only believe in Science. That’s probably why we never win!
Esqueleto: We never win because you are fat!
Nacho the legalist: My life is good. Reeeal gooooooood.
Geez I sound so stuffy compared to you guys! I can be funny too. Hey, I married the Bill-ster!
Greetings and many thanks for a well-written blog. I thank you what you said.