I met a pastor who was frustrated with the “Me First” attitude among his own flock. As he said to me, “I have parents with elementary students that spend months of the year abandoning church on Sundays with the hopes that their sons or daughters can become the next Michael Jordan or Tom Brady. These parents are teaching their children that everything is about their personal happiness and success at the expense of others.”

There is something seriously wrong in sports today. It’s best said in John Perritt’s Time Out! book, “My (Perritt) eyes were gradually opened to the dark side of sports. Rather, should I say, my eyes were opened to the darkness that lies in the heart of mankind and often spills over onto the field. A pastor named Jeremy Treat helped me to see that sports are not the problem—we are. Sports, in and of themselves, are not evil—we are (Gen. 3, Rom. 3). It is our sinful hearts that make a good thing, like recreation, something other than honoring God. As Dr. David Prince says, ‘When I was younger, I certainly corrupted the gift of athletics by treating it as an ultimate end rather than an opportunity to worship the God who alone is ultimate.’”

Romans 15 – The Ultimate Sacrifice

In chapter 15, Paul offers an example of the attitude and actions our salvation should produce to help us fight against the “Me First!” problem in sports. Jesus lived a selfless life (15:3). Christian love is not selfish; instead, it seeks to share with others. It’s even willing to carry the less mature Christians to help them along in their spiritual growth. To carry or bear (15:1) is the idea to lighten a load of another by carrying some of it for him or her. The strong are to lighten the burden of the weak. Paul wasn’t encouraging people to be pleasing at the expense of doing right. Paul was urging the believers to set aside their own welfare and comfort for others.

The Kingdom Coach and Athlete follow the excellent example of their Lord Jesus Christ when competing in sports with a selfless attitude and behavior. No sacrifice we could ever make will match what He did for us at Calvary.

Journaling helps you understand and respond to the Bible. As you journal, use the acronym HEAR to Highlight, Explain, Apply, and Respond to what you have read in the reading plan.

Bible Memory Verse – “Now I urge you, brothers, to keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and stumblings contrary to the teaching which you learned, and turn away from them.” Romans 16:17

Click HERE for the Kingdom Sports Minute on Doing Sports God’s Way