Did you watch any of the Winter Olympics? Even though I know absolutely nothing about figure skating, skiing, ski jumping, bobsledding or speed skating – I’ve never done any of them – it was enjoyable to watch some of the events. Especially the ones in which USA athletes were expected to do well.
The one thing each of them had in common was the “USA” proudly emblazoned on their uniforms. They not only were from the United States but also had devoted countless hours over many years to earn the right to represent their country.
As the Games went on, ads and commercials started popping up offering replicas of the uniforms and other memorabilia so fans could show their pride in the team’s accomplishments. Those are fun, but there’s a truism about buying copies of team uniforms and jerseys: They show who you’re passionately rooting for, but don’t make you an official part of the team.
Years ago, I bought an Ohio State football jersey that I still have. I’ve rooted for the Buckeyes for many years. But even though I often wear OSU attire, I’ve never gotten a call asking me to suit up for the Scarlet and Gray. (Good thing!)
In a far more profound sense, this principle applies to being a member of God’s “team.” As has been wisely observed many times, going to church doesn’t make one a Christian any more than going into a garage makes you a car.
There are numerous external indicators that followers of Jesus Christ might display, attending church on a regular basis being just one of them. Others may range from reading the Bible; attending a Bible study; going on a mission trip; being able to recite some Scripture verses; even wearing Christian-oriented T-shirts or jewelry. But as we’ve all learned, outward appearances can mislead.
In His interactions with the Pharisees, who were about as religious and pious as anyone you’d ever meet, Jesus spoke about this in particularly stern terms: “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.”
But Jesus wasn’t done with His rebuke. He added, “Woe to you…! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness” (Matthew 23:25-28).
To put it into today’s vernacular, the Lord was saying in effect, “You guys like to wear the team jerseys, but you don’t even qualify to serve as waterboys on the real team!”
There’s an interesting verse in the apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi that applies here. He exhorted believers to “…continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). At first glance, one might think it concerns working to attain one’s salvation. However, that’s not at all what it means. Rather, it’s about striving to work out what God has already worked into us.
Many Scripture passages make clear it’s impossible to earn our salvation. Theologians sometimes use the Latin terms “sola gratia” (grace alone) and “sola fide” (faith alone) to explain this. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”
In a letter to Titus, one of Paul’s spiritual sons, the apostle also asserted, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).
Then what is “working out your salvation” all about? If we’re not working to gain our salvation, what’s this mean? It helps to consider some of the things we receive from God when we become “born again,” as Jesus said to Nicodemus, a leader of the Pharisees.
We could present a long list, but Galatians 5:22-23 gives some traits that every disciple of Jesus Christ should exhibit in increasing measure: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control….” Each of these is a quality that the Lord demonstrated in abundance during His earthly ministry. As Christ followers, we should exhibit each as well – through the power of the Holy Spirit.
As you look at the world around you, do you see evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? I don’t see much of it. If anything, it’s clear there’s a tremendous shortage of each. Why? Because non-believers – and they’re in the majority, sadly – haven’t allowed God to work them in. So how can we expect them to work them out?
Jesus emphasized that His followers aren’t to judge others, “For with the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (Matthew 7:2). However, He did not forbid them from being “fruit inspectors.”
Judas Iscariot was perhaps the best example of all. Like the other disciples, Judas had spent the better part of three years with Jesus, 24/7. He heard His teachings, witnessed His miracles, and observed His example of how to live. And yet at the very end, Judas’s greed and quest for power were his undoing. For years he had worn the ‘team jersey.’ He had looked the part. But ultimately, he betrayed the Lord – for 30 pieces of silver.
Studying the Scriptures we see no evidence of love, joy, peace, etc. on display in Judas’s life. And certainly not in his death, hanging himself from a tree in remorse – but not repentance.
That’s a cautionary tale for us all. Are we genuinely on Jesus’ team, or do we just enjoy wearing the team jersey when it’s convenient and doesn’t interfere with how we want to live our lives the rest of the time?
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