Following Jesus
- Jack Selcher
- Mar 9
- 2 min read
Updated: Mar 13
I saw a story on the news about Jim Harbaugh, the National Football League’s San Diego Chargers coach. Last football season he coached the University of Michigan Wolverines to a national collegiate championship.
Now he is coaching in the professional ranks. Players on the Chargers commented that the atmosphere changed significantly when Harbaugh became their coach. They often work twelve-hour days. This year’s team is much better than last year’s.
Harbaugh is their unquestioned leader. Every NFL team’s purpose is to play in the next Super Bowl. The Chargers players believe the best way to get there is to follow their leader, Coach Jim Harbaugh.
Imagine how unattainable their Super Bowl goal would be if every team member did whatever they thought was best in practice and games. Some would come late to practice and leave early. They would exert minimum effort.
They might only show up for home games. They would do everything possible to protect themselves from injury. Everyone would do what was best for himself without concern for the coach’s direction or other team members' welfare.
Such individualistic thinking does not fly in the world of professional football. Unfortunately, it is all too common in the church.
Convenience trumps duty. Church participation is about meeting personal needs. People periodically attend services but are too busy to serve others. God gets one hour a week (often less).
They refuse any commitment requiring sacrificing their priorities for the good of the local church and God’s Kingdom. They do not follow Jesus to their purpose.
What is that purpose? Generally, it is bearing fruit for God. We died to the law’s power when we died with Christ on the cross. Now we are united with the resurrected Jesus. As a result, we can do good deeds for God (Romans 7:4).
Being united with Jesus means we must die to the old self-absorbed way of life. Being united with Jesus in His resurrection must result in a harvest of good deeds for God. God planned these good things for us long ago (Ephesians 2:10).
Jesus is the Coach. He leads the whole Christian team to fulfill His will. Are we cooperating or resisting? Follow Jesus to your purpose. See additional free spiritual growth resources for Christians.
See free spiritual growth resources for Christians at https://www.christiangrowthresources.com
God has empowered me to write “His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength.” It’s a free evangelistic, devotional, and discipleship eBook. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead more than 3,436 people to Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 9,476 people. I invite you to check it out. https://www.christiangrowthresources.com/his-power-for-your-weakness
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