Acts 2:41-42
That day about three thousand took him
at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves
to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal,
and the prayers.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs,
CO. All rights reserved.
My young cousins, nieces and
nephews, and countless young friends are all members of organized
activities/groups like soccer, t-ball, swimming, scouting, and dance
troops. They have made the commitment to attend practices and
games/performances…to participate in events associated with the
team/group…to offer support and be an active participant…and to
encourage their fellow members. They are representatives of these
groups, and people form opinions about the organization as a whole on
the basis of how individual members behave.
In any organization,
there will be people who go “all in” and give their very best. They
make almost all of the meetings, participate in group activities and
invite others to join them. They support the members and do all that
they can to conduct themselves in a manner that honors the group and its
purpose/tenets. There will be a few who sign on and then fail to show
up…literally and figuratively. When this happens, they are often
dismissed from the group…either by quitting and forfeiting membership
and the right to participate - or by removal from the roster by the
group leaders.
When we give our lives to Christ and become
Christians, we are automatically a member of “Team Jesus.” Just as
there are members of any club or organization who claim to be
associated, then hang out on the fringes – or drop out altogether -
there are Christians who assert that they belong to Jesus and then go
back to their old ways. They don’t support others, much less minister
to anyone – especially unbelievers. Sadly, there are quite a few
“fringe Christians.” Many of them go through the motions…attend worship
services, contribute to a church and missions/ministries, participate
in Holy Communion, and sport a t-shirt or bumper sticker that proclaims
their allegiance. But it’s all essentially a show…there is no real
“heart” and commitment behind these actions. Others claim to be
Christians and don’t even make a half-hearted effort to go through the
motions of discipleship.
Unlike most organizations, you can’t get
kicked off “Team Jesus” for this. But it does sadden Jesus…and it
should sadden us as believers. Jesus suffered, bled and died for our
sins. He loves us unconditionally…meets all of our needs…feeds and
heals us – body, mind and soul…and prepares a Heavenly mansion for us to
enjoy for all Eternity. And all that He asks of us in return is that
we love and honor Him.
Jesus asks that we live in a way that
demonstrates our devotion to Him and encourages others to make Him their
personal Savior. Whether we go “all in” or not does not change our
status on the “team”…or make us better than the next believer. But it’s
a matter of personal and spiritual integrity. This is the most
important affiliation we will ever have. We ought to do more than
merely act like it matters.
Stop and spend some time today in
prayer and reflection on all that Jesus has done for you…all that He
does for you each and every day. Count your blessings and consider what
sort of “team member” you really are these days. Search for ways to
step up your “game/performance”…to honor and glorify the amazing gift of
Salvation and inclusion that Jesus has given you. Make this the day
that you move off the sidelines and into the thick of things with
Jesus. It’s what you signed up for…the time has come to make good on
your commitment!
©2015 Debbie Robus
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