Obvious Christianity May Hurt

In America, and I think especially in the south, sports fans are almost obsessed with college football (did I say "almost"?). Fans have their favorite teams and they support them in countless ways. Tee shirts, hoodies, cups, mugs, bumper stickers, emblems, dashboard figurines, and so on. So proud are people of their team that they are sometimes willing to argue for hours, ad nauseum, as to why their team is the greatest of them all.

I have actually witnessed fist fights between fans of rival schools. Isn't that insane?

I readily admit, I am a fan too. I love the kids in orange that play in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. Being located in the south I have interaction with fans of the other schools of the Southeastern Conference. Ridiculing each other is commonplace and is mostly done in fun. But I have been literally verbally attacked because a fan of a lesser school :-) saw my Big Orange sweat shirt being worn proudly. I was insulted and called ignorant. People like that just can't see that we are supporting 20 year old kids on a field. They actually allow the actions of those kids to make or break their week depending on the outcome of the game. I decided years ago that I would not allow the actions of kids on a field to determine if I would have a good week or not.

But think with me about this: when we are sporting our fanware we are making an obvious statement: "I am a fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide! Roll Tide Roll!" We don't expect to be ridiculed for being a fan. But I think most of us have felt at least a little heat here are there. What I am saying is that there is a level of risk we assume when we wear our team support on our sleeves and bodies. So, if we want to never partake in an uncomfortable conversation or feel the heat for being a fan; then don't wear the gear and don't talk about it. It's as simple as that.

19 for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,20 according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:19-20)

Many Christian people, maybe even most, go through their entire lives without ever receiving any criticism or rebuke because of their faith. There really is only one reason for it: They don't wear the gear. Now, I am not talking about Christian necklaces or Jesus tee shirts and coffee mugs. I am talking about the fact that they don't make their faith obvious. Oh, they may attend church but really, beyond that, the evidence of their faith is pretty hard to detect. In a country where we have freedom to express our faith, many (maybe most) do not.

But Paul (in the verses sited above) wore the hoodie, had the mug, touted the colors, and spoke boldly of his support for the Lord Jesus. He did so in a land in which it was not popular (and in some cases, not legal) to be a Christian. Now I am not saying that it is a badge of honor to be ridiculed. I don't think one is a "better' Christian because they are criticized from time to time. But those who are ridiculed and persecuted are usually the ones that are so proud of their faith that they let the world know. They are following the mandate of the Lord, "Go and make disciples,"

Paul was arrested and imprisoned because he boldly proclaimed his faith. Even though he knew it could get him arrested or even executed. And he was arrested. And during the ordeal he continued to proclaim his faith. He knew that true Christians would pray for him and that the Lord would provide for him. He was an avid fan. He spoke boldly of his faith like so many college football fans do. He did so in boldness even though he knew it could cost him his life. His goal was to exalt Jesus in his life or even how he died. He expected to be delivered, but he was good with whatever happened because he believed whatever happened would exalt the Lord. Wow! Hmmm?

The point: Being bold about your team can get you ridiculed. Being boldly obvious about your faith in Christ can hurt.

I think the reason that many (perhaps most) Christians aren't obvious about their faith, even in a country where it is legal to do so, is because they know that it may hurt or, at the very least, get them in uncomfortable conversations.

Makes me wonder: Where are the Pauls today?

I hope this has been a blessing to you.

Tony Guthrie
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