Conduct

"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]

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.

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.

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!

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!

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."

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

Honor Christ today in your conduct,