Spiritual Sportsmanship

Growing Daily

Spiritual Sportsmanship

The NFL playoffs are heating up as another weekend of big matchups kicks off tomorrow.

Amid all the post-season rivalry, there’s a moment in every game that stands out to me:  when the final whistle blows, players from both teams converge on the field to shake hands, smile, laugh, and hug.

It’s great sportsmanship — but there’s another reason it comes so easily: they’re basically all millionaires!  Win or lose, these guys have great contracts and make an extraordinary amount of money to play a game they love.

That same kind of perspective should shape how Christians relate to others within the church. When we forget what we already have in Christ, it’s easy to start competing. We begin chasing recognition and influence, and jealousy can steer our words and actions. But the gospel reminds us that we’re not rivals. We’re all rich in Christ.

Ephesians 1:3 says, “All praise to God… who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ.”   

For Christians, another person’s success doesn’t diminish ours.  Another’s celebration doesn’t mean we’ve lost.  We don’t outshine one another; we’re living from a shared inheritance.

Is there another Christian right now that you’re treating like a bitter rival?  Today, thank God that our “contract” of salvation is shared with all believers — and let that security free you to love and encourage those in Christ around you.

- Ron Reid