Team Sport

Christianity is a team sport.

Because we are teammates, we keep each other accountable. But we do that in a humble fashion. We put our teammates back on the right path in a way that shows we recognize that we could easily fall into the same temptation. Our accountability has a gentle touch because we are nothing more than fellow sinners with our teammates.

Because we’re teammates, we watch and make sure that our teammates’ load is manageable. And when it’s not, we willingly help them carry that load. We know that’s the Christ-like thing to do. After all, on the cross Jesus bore the entire burden of our sin.

Because we are teammates, we pause before we come to any conclusions about our contribution and value to the team. We’re careful because we know how easy it is to delude ourselves into thinking our importance is much greater than it really is. It’s so easy to begin to think we are indispensable to our team.

Because we are teammates, we test our own actions. We examine ourselves for the “log” in our own eye before we try and remove the tiny “splinter” in our brother’s (or sister’s) eye.

Because we are teammates, we don’t compare ourselves to others. There’s no need to. Because we take responsibility for our own actions. We’re already filled with confidence because we carry our own load. We take care of business.

Just as Jesus first took care of business for us.

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load” (Galatians 6:1-5, NIV).

Lord help me to remember that Christianity is a team sport. I repent of the times when I have tried to be independent and felt I didn’t need help from others. I repent of the times when I have thought that I was excused from the responsibility of helping others who are my “teammates in Christ.” Forgive me. And help me be confident, knowing that you have born the burden of all my sins, and I am declared completely innocent in the sight of God.

Our Bible reading for Monday, September 21, is Isaiah 49:8 – 51:16, Galatians 6:1-18 and Proverbs 23:10-18.

Header image based on "Arizona Cardinals WR Michael Floyd" by Greg Buch | FFSwami.com, CC By-SA 2.0