You Might be Worshiping an Idol if...
My inspiration for this one came after I watched some short video clips of Eagles fans reacting to making it to the Superbowl. Some were screaming, others shouting and running all through the house, a few were even crying tears of joy. For one man, the house was too small to contain his joy, so in the dead of winter he ran out to his backyard pool and jumped in, clothes and all.
Now before you accuse me of hating on those with team spirit, let me say I think it is great to see people having fun and enjoying sports, even the ones I referred too here. I've jumped up and hooped and hollered with the best of them for the Texas Longhorns many a time. My comment is referring to the basic fundamental nature of man: he was made to worship. And if he refuses to glorify his Creator, this world gladly offers many counterfeit substitutes for him to worship instead.
Then a few days later I posted this:
Now this one seemed to be a little more controversial. Maybe it struck a nerve. I believe a little clarification is important. First, there is nothing wrong with watching the Superbowl, or World Series, or any popular sports games. They, and anything for that matter (money, fame, movies, etc), become a problem when they become more important to the person than God is to them. That's what the Bible calls an idol. Now for the nonbeliever, they're lost and blinded to the truth and don't know or even care that they're worshipping, giving allegiance to, idols. But my second FB post was not for the nonbeliever but the believer.
I fear there are many churchgoers who do get more excited and passionate about their favorite sports team than they do about their God. They'll spend $100 on a jersey, $200 per ticket to see a game, $50 worth of food and beverage, suffer through unbearable heat or cold, or pay $25 to park their car for three hours. You see, the devil will get his tithe. But sometimes those same people who profess to know Christ don't have enough passion to sing and shout for Jesus, who is supposed to be the savior of their soul. They grumble when the offering plate is passed and drop a tip instead of a tithe. They are inconvenienced when the service lasts longer than 90 minutes, yet will sit 3-4 hours through a game. I have to wonder, are they really saved?
Jonathan Edwards, the Great Awakening revivalist preacher, pondered on what and how much should the affections, what we call today feelings or emotions, have in a genuine salvation experience. It was so important to him, in fact, he wrote a famous publication on the topic, "A Treatise Concerning Religious Affections", where he discussed the role intellect and emotions have in one's salvation. He concludes by saying "for who will deny that true religion consists in a great measure, in vigorous and lively actings of the inclination and will of the soul, or the fervent exercises of the heart?" 1 In other words, he says one of the marks of a genuine salvation experience is that it does a great deal impact and influence" in a great measure" the heart, soul and emotions of the person. Salvation is not based on our emotions but on the finished work of Christ BUT the reality of what Christ does in us should affect our emotions at the deepest levels.
If the reality of your salvation and who Jesus is hasn't also permeated the very fabric of your emotions , that would give me room to question your salvation. Salvation is not a mental idea, or a prayer to be prayed, it is a supernatural transformation, a whole new identity.
For many football is an idol, perhaps even for some Christians. Watching football is not an idol any more than money, fame, fortune, whatever. But when those become more important than God, then they do become an idol. As Christians I believe we must guard our hearts and be aware there are many gods out there trying to steal our allegiance from The God.
So in a time where America has pushed God to the margins and replaced Him with Government, where is the church? For many church is the nearest football or baseball stadium. For the sinner, that makes perfect sense, but for the saint, we have to ask ourself, "Who really has my heart?"
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