Would you wear something offensive to God? by Genevieve Wilson for Christian Today
GNN Note – No. Absolutely not. / END
Recently, we were bombarded with the headlines regarding 7 Australian Rugby players who stepped down from playing a game because of their convictions regarding wearing a rainbow jersey. For this stance, the world went crazy, telling them what they should and shouldn’t do, because after all, ‘it is only a shirt.’ But is it really only about wearing a shirt or not wearing a shirt?
If we profess Christ, our whole lives are supposed to glorify Him, whether we are at our job, in a store, at an appointment, making a contract or in a game. In the book of Colossians, chapter 1, verse 10, Paul prays the believers would “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
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Walking the walk not just talking the walk
What does it mean to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel? Well, we are to do what pleases the Lord and sometimes walk the higher and more difficult road. It means not doing what the world thinks is right, but rather, what God says is worthy and good. We find further instructions on how to practically walk this way in the book of Colossians chapter 3, verse 5-9, “Put to death, therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire and covetousness, which is idolatry…. You must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie.” This is by no means an exhaustive list but helps to set the bar of what a “worthy life, pleasing to God looks like.”
Taking a stance can cost something
Eric Liddell was a famous Scottish runner, who chose to stand down at the 1924 Olympics. His main race, the 100m sprint was scheduled for a Sunday, and being a Christian, his conviction was that he was not to run on the Sabbath. He was favoured to win the event and the nation against him. They saw their hope for the prized gold medal dashed and they begged him to just comply this one time. He did not. He was determined to honor the Lord and walk worthy of Him even if it meant the whole nation hated him.
