"You're outta here!" - Joey Ferrell
Recently, the college sports headlines covered the unusual situation of a player that did not feel that he had to attend mandatory events such as practice and team meetings in part or most because he felt that he was beyond that as he had a very large NIL value. While I do not quite grasp all of the reasoning behind the NIL situation in college sports, I do understand that type of attitude.
Paul actually addresses that in Romans 12:3 when he says to not think of ourselves more highly than we ought. It is really that simple…but for the sake of comparison, let’s explore a few different ideas and how they relate to our spiritual lives.
We are all part of the body (you can substitute team). That means that as Paul describes later in Romans 12 that we each have a specific role to play within the church, and the spiritual lives of not only ourselves, our families, but also for the saints and even the lost that we come into contact with each day.
Every soul has the same net worth. That net worth is clearly defined in Romans 12:1 with the admonition of being a “living sacrifice.” We know that the sacrifice of our Lord as outlined in John 3:16 tells us what His sacrifice meant to every soul….how much is your soul worth? The life of my Lord.
Our actions represent our heart. Verse 10 says to give preference to others, verse 13 - hospitable in our actions. Verse 16 says to be like minded with one another, verse 18 says live at peace with all men. All of these admonitions show that the ones that we are around are to be treated with much respect, concern, and benefit.
What does this have to do with the fella that didn’t show up? Well, he was let go. He was told in a way that he wasn’t quite as important as maybe he thought. What did he say to his teammates? In his actions, he said “I am better than you, I don’t care about what happens to you, I am selfish, and I am looking out for the right now and not the future.
We cannot live like that in the world, much less in the spiritual realm. You see, there are certain rules and requirements in order to be part of a team, or maybe some kind of social club, or maybe some elite group of designated persons (such as a who’s who listing or hall of fame), and if those rules or requirements are not met…well, honestly we should expect someone to say “you’re outta here!”
What about our spiritual well-being? The book of Romans will continue to talk about things that the Christian will want to abide by, strive for, and move toward in their life. One of those ideas is well explained in chapter 15 in what we “owe” Christ for His sacrifice for us. What is that? He encourages us in verses 4-7 to be obedient in honoring the Lord by being in unity one with another to strengthen and encourage each other glorifying God.
Chapter 16 closes out this book by talking about the “team.” Certainly Paul could have ended the book talking about himself, what all he had done, what honor he expected from them for all of his labors…but he does not. He encourages and lifts up his brethren with kindness, meekness, gentleness and love….and it is with that same mind and heart that he pens the words “greet one another with a holy kiss, the churches of Christ salute you!” Not he salutes you, because his NIL is better than yours. Not any of those particular individuals salutes you because they are more known than you may be. Not any particular congregation, whether large or small because they are the “popular” one in town….but ALL in plurality - the “churches of Christ". Who is in the churches of Christ? The saved. They are added to the one true church, but not to be recognized as a stand out…rather to be unified in glory!
Don’t be one that finds themselves in a spiritual situation where the words are fitting of “You’re outta here!” Live life the way God wants you to, exhort others, attend worship services faithfully, edify one another and love the brotherhood!
Peace and love!
Joey