In a recent interview, Green Bay Packers Quarterback
Aaron Rogers explained his rejection of Christianity. He said, “Ultimately, it was that rules and regulations and binary systems
don’t really resonate with me.” By “binary systems” he
means, “it’s us and them, saved and unsaved, heaven and hell…”
My response is not a criticism of Aaron
Rogers. He’s got some valid points. First, Christianity does involve
rules. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”. Following
commandments or rules can be certainly be burdensome, but I think Rogers may be
missing something. Christianity is not about keeping rules in order to be
saved. Genuine Christians willingly obey Christ out of love and gratitude for
the grace God has given us.
If you were forced to carry a despised enemy
down a long road, the task would undoubtedly be burdensome. But the task would
not be so burdensome if you were carrying someone you loved. In the midst of
the Vietnam War, a rock group called the Hollies released a song entitled, “He
Ain’t Heavy, He’s my brother.” It is the song about one man carrying another—perhaps
a wounded soldier. Although “the road is long with many a winding turn”
the carrier says, “He ain’t heavy. He’s my brother. So on we go. His welfare
is my concern. No burden is he to bear…” A little later the song says, “the
load doesn’t weigh me down at all. He ain’t heavy. He’s my brother.”
That’s the way true Christians feel about
obeying Jesus’ “rules.” When obedience to Jesus’ teachings come out of sincere
love for Him, it is not burdensome (Matthew 11:28-30). His rules aren’t heavy.
He’s our brother (Hebrews 2:11-12). Sadly, most people don’t seem to understand
this.
Second, Aaron Rogers said Christianity is
binary. He’s absolutely right! Jesus
said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but
by me.” That’s binary. You’re either with Jesus or you’re not. Those who
choose to reject him, face judgment. John 3:36 says, “Whoever believes in
the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s
wrath remains on them.” That’s pretty “black and white.” That’s
binary.
But there are many things in life that are
“binary” that are true. To reject something just because it is binary is emotional,
not rational. I’m sure Rogers would not reject his wife just because marriage
is “binary.”
There is abundant solid historical and philosophical
evidence to believe that Jesus really rose from the dead and really is who the
Gospels claim him to be. If we ignore or reject that—if we ignore or reject Jesus
just because He doesn’t “resonate” with us, we may be on the wrong side of a terrible,
binary fate.
Aaron Rogers is really no different than the
vast majority of Americans (except for the fact that he is one of the world’s greatest
football players). He believes that people are basically good, and he finds it
hard to believe that God would condemn so many “good” people.
The Bible teaches that we are not basically
good. Even the best of people have continually, willfully, and sinfully
rebelled against a Holy God in thoughts, words, deeds and attitudes. To be
saved from the wrath of God at the final judgment, all of us must truly come to
grips with the seriousness of our sin and turn to Christ in repentance and faith.
