We’ve all heard this one. YOLO! (It appears that this “ranting about common phrases” is going to be a trilogy… XD The first two installments being: Follow Your Heart – or, Be True To Your Heart? and Be Yourself?) Basically, “you only live once” irks me not only because this suggests that once life is over, that’s it, you’re dead, and that there is no eternal life, but it also suggests that we should do what we want because life ends and we’ll never be able to enjoy it again. The Bible basically tells us the opposite:
John:12:25: He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates** his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
Doing things to please ourselves in this life is what YOLO is. But we are supposed to live a Christian life, one that glorifies Jesus. And when we die, life doesn’t end there; we’ll get to live with Jesus!
I realize that most people probably don’t use “YOLO” as permission to sin; but I’m going to go there anyway:
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
If the wages of sin is death, then one can see why using YOLO to excuse oneself is so absurd. (Unless one really wants to live once very short life, if you get my drift… 
) And who are we kidding, God can’t be conned:
Galatians 6:7 & 8: Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
However, if you are doing God’s work and to you, “YOLO” means “take the risk for Jesus”, I suppose “YOLO” would be appropriate:
Matthew 16:24-27: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
So, all in context. X) Why focus on worldly things which lead to one short life when you can live with Jesus in Heaven forever? 🙂
**Note: According to the Strong’s dictionary, the original word in the Greek language translated here as “hate” actually means “love less”; just like in Luke 14:26. Just putting this note in because I hate to think that we are supposed to hate our lives in this world. X)
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A good post with some very good thoughts, Grace. There are some people who use the “YOLO” idea to do whatever they want to. This is also true with the idea of grace. People have actually asked me if Jesus forgave our sins, and will continue to forgive them, then what does it matter what we do in life.
Both the “YOLO’s” and the “GRACER’S” have missed the entire point in life! This is why we need to try to help them see God’s truths in the way they were intended for us. There obviously is lots of work yet to do in this life!
🙂
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Thank you! ♥ Yeah. I have heard the idea of grace being used that way; committing a sin deliberately, expecting Him to cover it with His grace – ugh.
Exactly… 😦 Yes! 😀 There sure is!
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