“All I know most surely about morality and obligation I owe to football”,
The cost of following Jesus
When Phil Starbuck became a Christian he was playing for Nottingham Forest. He was praying for the right opportunity to share his new faith with one or two of his team-mates. Then one day before training a teammate shouted across the changing room. “Starby, what’s all this about you becoming religious”.Paul tells Timothy do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. 2 Timothy 1:8-9
There is an unavoidable link between being a real follower of Jesus and suffering. Now the nature of that suffering will vary according to where you live in the world. In the UK, we give up chocolate for Christ during lent and think we are doing well. In other parts of the world, believers give up their very life for Christ.
As you represent Christ in your sport, you are unlikely to face physical suffering. Like Phil Starbuck there are times when you will have to stand up and be counted and not be ashamed of Jesus.
The call to live a holy life (verse 9) is quite a challenge in the self-centred, godless world of sport. It will involve being humble in a world where ego rules. It will mean living to God’s standards in sex, which will make you seem like someone from another planet to your team-mates. It will mean being honest and telling the truth even when it is to your disadvantage.
Jesus gave his disciples a promise and a warning. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it…If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels. Mark 8:34 and 38