“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body — whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.” — 1 Corinthians 12:12-13
>> Sign up here for Sports Spectrum devotionals sent right to your email inbox <<
Often, passionate fans of a given sports team will so identify with that team that they speak as if they are actually a part of it. I know this well, because I am one of them.
“We won!” “They play us next.” “Our defense is terrible.” These fans, like me, truly come to love their longtime players and coaches, and when their team is disparaged, they are personally offended. These fans are so invested in the wins and losses, celebrations and heartbreaks, that when something happens to the team, it happens to them as well. To be a fan of the team has become a part of that person’s identity.
There is nothing wrong with such “diehard” team spirit; it’s part of what makes sports so enjoyable and entertaining. Yet, as deep as these sports allegiances run for many of us, if we are in Christ, “follower of Jesus” always needs to be the center of our identity. Too often, however, I see professing Christians pitted against each other in bitter arguments, hurling insults “across the aisle” and sometimes even questioning the salvation of others. Meanwhile, the thousands of Christians who face persecution around the world are given little thought.
This breaks my heart, and I hope it breaks yours too. It’s the opposite of what God calls us to: “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body — whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free — and we were all given the one Spirit to drink” (1 Corinthians 12:-12-13).
Ultimately, God calls His people to unity in Christ. Yes, Jesus is the center of our individual identities, because He paid the price so that each of us individually would be free. But even more than that, He died to redeem His whole Church. That means you and me and every believer who ever has been and ever will be.
How strange would it be for a shoulder and an elbow to oppose each other? Yet that’s what happens every time one believer slanders another. And when believers are persecuted on the other side of the globe, you too are being persecuted. We are one body, the body of Christ. We are on the same team.
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn,” and when Christ comes again, celebrate like never before because, in Him, “we won!”
— Kevin Mercer
>> Do you know Christ personally? Learn how you can commit your life to Him <<
>> Dive more into God’s Word with Sports Spectrum through the YouVersion Bible App <<
If you would like to submit a devotional, please email all submissions to
devotionals@sportsspectrum.com
