This story appears in FCA Magazine’s March/April 2016 issue. Subscribe today!


Many of us probably know that sports giant Nike was named after the Greek goddess of victory, but did you know “champion” and “overcomer” are also derived from the same source?

Nike has done a fantastic job playing off those words, outfitting thousands of champions at all levels and convincing consumers that Nike gear will help them overcome any obstacles. But, centuries before Nike was founded, Jesus was (and still is) the perfect example of overcoming. In John 16:33 (ESV) He said, “... In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

Through His life, death and resurrection, Jesus was the ultimate overcomer. God’s definition of winning has nothing to do with a scoreboard, statistics, money or applause. Instead, it is about a conscious intimacy with Jesus Christ. Sports simply become a training ground for discipleship to advance the gospel across the planet.

What about you, especially in your sports life? Are you embracing or rejecting the world’s definition of success?

I always think back to the testimony of a former college quarterback at an FCA retreat years ago. As a second-string true freshman, he was inserted into an important game with two minutes left, his team needing a touchdown to win. He received snap after snap and completed pass after pass, eventually leading his team to victory and getting carried off the field. Years later he confessed he was doing it all out of “shocking” sin—the sin of fear. Not a healthy fear of or reverence for the Lord, but a fear of failing his team, family, friends and fans. He was thinking of the possible glory—his glory—if he could pull it off. After he did pull it off (and after he went on to become statistically the greatest quarterback in school history), he confessed his sin at this FCA retreat—the sin of not being in fellowship with Jesus.

Now, many of you are probably thinking, “What? Confessing fear, worry, self-glory and not connecting with Jesus during a pressure-packed drive? C’mon, man, who connects with Jesus during moments like that?”

But this young man was convicted by the Holy Spirit of being out of fellowship with Jesus Christ, which is precisely the definition of sin. He realized he was as deep in sin during that drive as any other Christian ensnared in “big” sins like lying, stealing, adultery, fornication, murder, greed or pornography. All sin results from consciously choosing to not be in fellowship with Jesus. Why is it that we can so easily excuse this quarterback’s confession of sin, but not the “big” sins?

He had violated Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV): “Whatever you do (throwing passes), work heartily (with all the energy and talent God has given you), as for the Lord (audience of One) and not for men (teammates, family, friends, fans), knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance (the fullness and power of Jesus as He conforms you to His likeness) as your reward."

The sin of idolatry—flirting with and chasing other gods—hits us all when we focus on empty rewards like applause, statistics, fame or money. There are very few Christians in the sports world who are chasing the ultimate goal of conforming to Christ! And the body of Christ in our churches, sports ministries and Christian schools do not seem to be emphasizing this with the intensity that Jesus and the apostles did.

Is God for winning or against losing? He has no issue with scoreboards. We’re the ones with the issue. Faith in sports seems to be compartmentalized into prayers before or after games, weekly chapel services, or banquets celebrating gifted “champions.” Christian athletes and coaches regularly tell us how God was glorified in winning the title or the award, but what about during the game?

I wonder if God is asking, “Why do they include me in their victories when they never even think to invite me into each play?”

Are you staying in communion with Jesus through practices, games or meetings? I’m talking about every play, every rep. It might sound extreme, but if Christ is your ultimate goal, then you’ll hit baseballs, tackle, rebound and lift weights with Him in mind.

James 1:8 tells us a double-minded man is unstable is all his ways. A follower of Christ cannot chase two goals. It’s Christ or the world. It’s your constant, conscious choice.

So, based on God’s Word and His definition of success, are you an overcomer through Christ? There is a great future reward in making your only goal to be conformed to the image of Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit. Continual intimacy with Jesus is the only way to be the absolute best you can be.

If you really want to experience the thrill and fun of focusing on Christ and releasing all of your God-given potential, check out the following resources: The Bible, Playing Sports God’s Way by Wes Neal, FCAResources.com, calledtocompete.com and sportsparables.com.

Do you want to be an overcomer through Christ? As Nike’s now famous tagline says: Just Do It!


-FCA-

–This article appears in the March/April 2016 issue of FCA Magazine. To view the issue digitally, click here: March/April 2016 FCA Magazine Digital

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