Replacement Christians

Many of you have been following the debacle that has been the replacement referees in the NFL. Last Monday night's game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers brought this issue to a head. A last second call was botched giving Seattle the win over Green Bay when it should have clearly gone the other way.

As a result of this incident, NFL owners moved quickly to settle the lock-out dispute to recall the "real" NFL referees. Last night, on Thursday Night Football, the real refs returned to thunderous applause.

In some ways you have to feel a little sorry for the "replacement refs". They were pulled into a situation they weren't prepared for. They were given expectations they couldn't meet. They were constantly criticized. They, at times, and especially last Monday, were vilified.

Let me ask you a question. Do you sometimes feel like a "replacement Christian"? Maybe you feel ill equipped to respond to spiritual need. Maybe you feel like "real" ministry is reserved for "real" or "professional" Christians. Or maybe you have purposefully neglected the issue of spiritual growth in your life and find yourself "uneasy" with making spiritual calls when they matter.

The Apostle Peter challenged that we would never be in the position of being considered "replacement Christians" if we are true followers of Christ.

1 Peter 3:14b-16 (ESV)- "Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame."

God's purpose for our lives is not to have a secondary or tertiary knowledge of Him and His ways, but to grow to full maturity in Christ. The Apostle Paul speaks to this in Colossians 2:6-7 (ESV). 

          "Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up                   
            in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."

Are you growing in Christ this week? Are you spending time in His word and in prayer seeking Him and knowing Him more? My challenge to you, and to myself, this week is to be who God has called us to be, His sons and daughters, consistently growing toward Christlikeness so that we may be "prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you". 

Blessings as you grow in Him.

Pastor Jim