The Jersey Collector

The Jersey Collector

As many of you as were baptized into Christ have been clothed yourself with Christ.
Galatians 3:27

What we wear is not what counts. As stated in I Samuel 16:7, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart”. The Lord indeed does not look at our outward appearance. He does not judge us by how tall or short, thin or heavy we are or how nicely we dress. That is, sadly, however not the case with the human race! We are often judged by our outward appearances. And while there are some things that we have no control over, there are others that we do. And it is the things that we DO have control over that we should be conscientious of.

My husband has a passion for sports jerseys. He can spend hours on line looking at the different teams and team gift shops and checking out online auctions....and bidding on jerseys. I keep telling him if he gets very many more jerseys we will have to rent a storage unit! When he gets a new jersey he is happy and he proudly wears it. One day he can be seen wearing a New York Yankees jersey and the next a Cleveland Indians. The next day it could be Philadelphia Phillies and the next Chicago Cubs. Of course he has down in his heart favorite team that he supports…but to look at his attire from day to day you would never know which team it is! His apparel does not show his loyalty.

As I think about this and the verse above from Galatians, that we have been clothed with Christ…I wonder if we are like my husband!! I wonder if the “clothing” (or actions and words) that “identify” us with Christ show our loyalty to Him….or if our “clothing” is misleading…for better or worse!

The expression comes to mind, “Sitting in church on Sunday morning does not automatically make you a Christian any more than sitting in a garage will make you a car”. We can even join a church and be put on the roles of that church and still not be a Christian! What is in our hearts and minds is what determines what we truly believe. Sadly or gladly, depending on the circumstances, people around Christians often look at the “jersey” they are “wearing” and see what “team” they support. If they support “Team Jesus” but are not being Christ like, it can be a detriment to the faith. Like it or not, people do judge by actions…as it is stated, actions often speak louder than words. So, when we are known as Christians we “put on” the “uniform” of Christ and represent Him. Do our actions speak highly of our “team” and our “Head Coach”? Or do we dishonor the “team”?

We have been clothed with Christ and it is our responsibility to have “team spirit” and to try and bring others to our “team”! Attend the “Pep Rallies” for Christ (Sunday worship services) and be a part of the “game” (life)! Cheer for the team and as we proudly wear the “team uniform” may we be good ambassadors for Christ.

PRAYER: Dearest Jesus and our Head Coach, guide me this day. As I cheer on my “teammates” and show my allegiance to You, help me to be a good ambassador for You and to all who see my “uniform”….my Christian “uniform” today. Amen