Only the Good Die Young
Friday, May 20, 2022
“Unbelievers may well be afraid, for they have an angry God above them, a guilty conscience within them, and a yawning hell beneath them.” – C.H. Spurgeon
In yesterday’s devotional, I compared and contrasted the rock songs “Highway to Hell” and “Stairway to Heaven”, debunking the one and clarifying the other. Another hit song from the 70s, this one by Billy Joel, is likewise misguided and conveys a similar – and dangerously false – message.
“Only the Good Die Young” was recorded in 1977 and released as part of “The Stranger” album. Its sacrilegious lyrics are a direct attack on the Catholic Church and its adherents. Joel also promotes promiscuity throughout the song and takes the following jab at those who try to live for God…
And they say there's a heaven for those who will wait
Some say it's better, but I say it ain't
I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints
The sinners are much more fun
“Highway to Hell” and “Only the Good Die Young” remind me of a famous scene from the classic Christmas movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” As wholesome as the two songs are irreverent, the film depicts a high school dance which takes place on a retractable floor. Beneath the floor is a large swimming pool and, when the class prankster pulls a lever, the floor starts pulling apart… causing the oblivious dancers to fall into the water. After seeing so many of their classmates get wet, some students – and even a few teachers who are chaperoning the dance – decide to join them by jumping in voluntarily.
One day, those who thought that life on earth was one big party… and that hell was nothing but a fairy tale… will have the floor pulled apart from beneath their feet. Tragically, instead of falling into a swimming pool, they will descend into a burning Lake of Fire.
My friend, let’s do everything in our power to “Rescue the Perishing” before it’s too late!
“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…” 2 Peter 3:9-10a (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
