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“I Love Sports”

Monday, December 02, 2019

Not everyone is “into” sports. In truth, neither enjoying sports, nor finding them uninteresting, makes one more spiritual or more faithful in the Lord’s service.
Some sports bore me. I have zero interest in participating in them or watching others play them. But when it comes to other sports, I am a confessed lover of them.
I love sports, BUT...

I never want to become a person who loves pleasure more than loving God. God’s word says, “...In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God” (2 Tim. 3:1-4).
I do not want to think more about sports than I do about heaven. “For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven” (2 Cor. 5:1-2).
I do not want to talk more about sports than I do about Jesus and His Gospel. “...Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. ... Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus” (Acts 8:5,35).
I do not want to spend more time reading about sports than I do reading God’s word. Upon hearing the Gospel, the people in Berea “...were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). The Psalmist wrote, “O how love I thy law! it [is] my meditation all the day” (Psa. 119:97,113,163).
I never intend to forsake the assembling of the saints in order to attend or watch a sport. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some [is]; but exhorting [one another]: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25).
I do not want to be described by others as one who “eats, drinks, and sleeps” sports. “...Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth”(Col. 3:1-2).
I do not want to get so worked up over sports that I become obnoxious or cannot function. “Finally, [be ye] all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, [be] pitiful, [be] courteous. Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. For the eyes of the Lord [are] over the righteous, and his ears [are open] unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord [is] against them that do evil” (1 Peter 3:8-12).
I do not want my references to sports to be a distraction to others during worship services. “God [is] a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24). “I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD” (Psa. 122:1).
I have no intention of spending more money on sports than I contribute to my God. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matt. 6:33). “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Cor. 9:7).
I have no intention of having a falling out with a saint who cheers for my team’s biggest rival. “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise” (Luke 6:31). “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Gal. 5:14).

I refuse to allow sports to become an idol, a stumbling block that will keep me out of heaven. “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:5). “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye. And above all these things [put on] charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Col. 3:12-15).