How Do You Recognize a Christian? | Part 3 | Level Up Love – 1 John 2:3-11 | Chris Voigt

Level Up Love
How Do You Recognize a Christian?
June 20, 2021

 I’m not really much of a gamer. For you older viewers, that’s someone who plays video games. Although I did get sucked into playing Candy Crush a few years ago. It took me maybe six months to “crush” all 1,400 and some-odd levels of the game. That’s time I’m never gonna get back! Since then, I pretty much stick to word games and jigsaw puzzles.
 

Anyone who plays video games knows that many of them are structured so there is a hierarchy or levels of progress. You avoid the bomb, defeat the enemy, collect the gems, and overcome every obstacle in your way; and then you advance to the next level. And with every level passed, you, your character, or your team increases in ability, strength, resources, or power. You are better equipped for whatever obstacles are to come in the next round.
 

Some of these games can be pretty addicting! They’re designed to be that way, because, well…that’s how companies get people to spend money on their games. As humans, there’s something in us that is always wanting more...greater ability, more influence, increased strength. Video game developers are just capitalizing on what they know to be true about human nature. You could say that life is like a cosmic video game; and in one way or another, we’re all looking to level up.
 

This week, in our summer series How Do You Recognize a Christian? we’re looking at what it means to level up in our journey to become more like Christ. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t exempt us from the challenges of life. In fact, in some ways, it can make life harder. There are definitely hazards, obstacles, and an enemy to defeat, as well as treasures to collect along the way. But every step of our adventure with Jesus is intended to challenge us to level up in the way that matters most. We are called to level up our love.

It’s not just a game. The stakes are high. Let’s level up, people!