“Beloved, I beg
you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against
the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they
speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they
observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1Peter 2:11-12 NKJ) [see
also Philippians 1:27]
you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against
the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they
speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they
observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1Peter 2:11-12 NKJ) [see
also Philippians 1:27]
God doesn’t care for
us playing sports. He just isn’t as interested in them as we are or think he
is. Jesus isn’t for my team any more than he is for the opposing team. He is as
interested in both teams winning as he is in neither team winning. He doesn’t
take sides in these immature human games.
us playing sports. He just isn’t as interested in them as we are or think he
is. Jesus isn’t for my team any more than he is for the opposing team. He is as
interested in both teams winning as he is in neither team winning. He doesn’t
take sides in these immature human games.
So why do people get
so emotionally worked up over sports? Any sport is a wonderful, stress
relieving pastime (or should be). Yet many parents, coaches, players and fans
ruin the game by their behavior and actions towards the opposing team and fans.
We are hypocrites. On the one hand we act like barbarians in the stands and on
the field, but require the teams to line up and shake hands like gentlemen
after the game’s end.
so emotionally worked up over sports? Any sport is a wonderful, stress
relieving pastime (or should be). Yet many parents, coaches, players and fans
ruin the game by their behavior and actions towards the opposing team and fans.
We are hypocrites. On the one hand we act like barbarians in the stands and on
the field, but require the teams to line up and shake hands like gentlemen
after the game’s end.
Now I am not naïve
about these “sports events.” I recognize they require an enormous
amount of preparation. And people, being normal human beings, get excited for
their team and hope and pray and wish that their team will win. Psychological
hype and pure rivalry drive emotions through the roof. Then when the
“game” is over, one team has won, one team has lost. A tied score is
anathema!
about these “sports events.” I recognize they require an enormous
amount of preparation. And people, being normal human beings, get excited for
their team and hope and pray and wish that their team will win. Psychological
hype and pure rivalry drive emotions through the roof. Then when the
“game” is over, one team has won, one team has lost. A tied score is
anathema!
The fans, whose team
has won, are elated beyond description. They bless God and claim Jesus gave
them the victory in this game. And the fans, whose team has lost, revert to
stone age behaviors. They blame God for their team’s loss. Have we forgotten?
It is a game!
has won, are elated beyond description. They bless God and claim Jesus gave
them the victory in this game. And the fans, whose team has lost, revert to
stone age behaviors. They blame God for their team’s loss. Have we forgotten?
It is a game!
Yes, for effect, I
have exaggerated the obvious here. Seriously though , the case for Christian
conduct cannot be overstated. The behaviors of professing disciples of Christ
are crucial to the impact we have on those around us. Our conduct and words
affect the unbelievers around us – either positively or negatively – for or
against Christ. This is why we sometimes hear, “if that is Christianity,
then I don’t want anything to do with it.”
have exaggerated the obvious here. Seriously though , the case for Christian
conduct cannot be overstated. The behaviors of professing disciples of Christ
are crucial to the impact we have on those around us. Our conduct and words
affect the unbelievers around us – either positively or negatively – for or
against Christ. This is why we sometimes hear, “if that is Christianity,
then I don’t want anything to do with it.”
Dear Father, thank
you for your grace. Forgive us our failures and grant us a renewed
determination to conduct ourselves like true disciples of your Son. I pray this
in the name of Jesus. AMEN
you for your grace. Forgive us our failures and grant us a renewed
determination to conduct ourselves like true disciples of your Son. I pray this
in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Honor Christ today
in your conduct,
in your conduct,