I recently went to a baseball game in St. Louis where the Cardinals were playing the Milwaukee Brewers. My sister and her family, who were visiting from Milwaukee, came along, decked out in their Brewers shirts and caps. I was amazed by how many Cardinals fans were wearing red to support their team. There was such a sea of red in the stands that those in Brewers garb stood out and even waved at one another.
There are not too many places where people can so clearly see where you stand. I wonder what it would be like if people could obviously see that we were with Team Jesus, if you will. Would we stand out in a crowd of those who were rooting only for themselves or for no god at all? Would we keep our eyes peeled for others who were wearing Christ on their sleeves and seek them out? Or would we hide in the masses, not wanting to be noticed?
We live in a world that wants to pigeon-hole people and urges people to stand with the majority. A recent Gallup poll revealed that for the first time in 80 years the percentage of those who said they belonged to a church dropped below 50% (to 47%). Religious people, including Christians, are becoming the minority. So it is becoming harder than ever to show your allegiance to Team Jesus.
But the Bible tells us plainly: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2). We must always follow God and his will for us in Jesus. No other team matters except Team Jesus and we must do all we can to cheer for him in our lives, celebrating his victory over all sin, over death and the devil. The game is over. The battle is won. Jesus is the winner, and always will be.