1 Peter 3:15 Archives - There Goes Connie

All of you know that I am a die-hard Auburn fan and a proud graduate of Auburn University. I avoid crimson and hounds tooth. I have orange and blue t-shirts, sweatshirts and jewelry. I can play the Auburn fight song hymn-style with an “Amen” at the end. BUT, and this is a Big BUT — after last year’s National Championship game, I did NOT suddenly become an Alabama fan, but I did INSTANTLY become a Tua fan. When he led that team to a dramatic comeback and had microphones stuck in his face afterwards, he didn’t take any praise for himself. He pointed people to Jesus.

Read more details about Tua Tagovailoa in this link. How he came to have such a strong faith, what his family background is like, the habits that keep him grounded are all described in depth in this article.

Tim Tebow’s story is very similar. Priorities of faith, family and THEN football. Humility. Pointing people to Jesus. In several of his high-profile games, John 3:16 and other Scripture references were prominent in the black painted under his eyes. Thousands dusted off their Bibles or did Google searches to find out what those verses said. As a result of the financial gains he received from sports, he formed the Tim Tebow Foundation, whose stated goal is to “bring Faith, Hope and Love to those needing a brighter day in their darkest hour of need.” That organization’s Night to Shine events have brought untold joy to thousands with special needs.

Chette Williams is the chaplain for Auburn University’s football program. He is facing a lawsuit — as are many Christian chaplains for sports teams — brought by the Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) wanting his job to be dissolved and his privilege of leading players in prayer to cease. He’s not backing down. He’s still praying.

What would happen if EVERY Christian recognized the opportunities for impacting the world by living lives according to the Bible and giving glory and honor to Jesus at every opportunity?

What if our lives were characterized by humility rather than by pride, desires for recognition and constant self-promotion?

What if our work ethic spurred us to practice harder, to seek to improve, to stay late and arrive early with the ultimate goal of giving any credit for success to our Savior?

What if our families were strong morally and close emotionally because of love, respect, exemplary examples of the older members and devotion to one another?

It’s so much more than church attendance.

It’s so much more than giving a tithe or donations to charity.

It’s so much more than not saying bad words in public and staying away from R-rated movies.

Tua, Tebow and Chette have bone-deep belief in and commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. They know God’s Word. They pray. They practice humility and purity. They are not Christians in name only. They are what followers of Christ can look like.

Do we really want to change the world?

What if we all put faith and family before football (or whatever our personal passion might be)?

Can you just imagine with me what an impact we could have?

1 Peter 3:15 – “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”

Matthew 6:33 – “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness . . . “

Matthew 5:13-16 – “You are the salt of the earth . . . let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

1 Peter 2:12 – “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.”

All verses in the English Standard Version.

We thought we were going into the dining room for another wonderful dinner with our new cruise friends. Instead, we learned once again that the Holy Spirit is never on vacation but is, in fact, always at work.

On the first full day at sea we went to our assigned place for the evening meal where tuxedoed servers waited to treat us like royalty. We were introduced to our tablemates for the week, a lovely couple from North Carolina (we knew they were from the south the minute they said hello), an elderly gentleman in a motorized wheelchair, and his traveling companion, Kay. We learned pretty quickly that Mr. Jed, the one in the wheelchair, was 82-years-old, had survived two strokes but was left with very little use of his legs and his left arm. We watched appreciatively as our thoughtful server helped Mr. Jed cut his meat when the entrees were brought to the table. “Religious affiliation” was lightly mentioned in our initial conversation, but most of the talk was light-hearted and superficial.

The following three nights the six of us got to know each other even better as we shared stories pertaining to our families and past professions. We especially enjoyed Mr. Jed’s descriptions of the months he spent on a submarine while he was in the navy. But, on the fifth night, the North Carolina couple dined in another shipboard restaurant in order to celebrate their 55th anniversary, and Kay chose to stay behind in her cabin to recuperate from a rigorous shipboard excursion. Steve and I were alone with Mr. Jed.

A layer of liking, appreciation and trust was already in place from the previous hours we’d been together. This time I asked Mr. Jed if he was still active in the church he’d mentioned during our first dinner together. He said no and went on to describe an incident that had completely turned him off of that church years ago. But, he also described his very godly grandmother and how many times he’d seen her studying the Bible.

Steve: “Well, Mr. Jed, who is Jesus to you?”

Mr. Jed: “He’s my Savior.”

Steve: “So, if you died tonight, do you think you’d go to heaven?”

Mr. Jed: “I have no idea.”

Steve began to explain how Mr. Jed could have assurance of salvation while I silently prayed. Mr. Jed leaned in close and listened intently. Others in the dining room began to trickle out. Our servers remained nearby but seemed to sense that no interruption was necessary. I have no doubt that the Holy Spirit gave Mr Jed that opportunity to hear the truth and used Steve as his mouthpiece. Steve urged Mr. Jed to spend time with the Lord before he went to bed that night and to accept the reality of Jesus as his Savior.

Mr. Jed and Faye were not at dinner the last night, but we saw them briefly at the airport the next morning. Mr. Jed was cordial to Steve. We don’t know what transpired between Mr. Jed and God, but we do know that he heard the gospel again and had the opportunity to accept it. We’re still praying for him.

1 John 5:13 (New American Standard Bible NASB) — “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW that you have eternal life.”

John 20:31 (NASB) — “but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”

1 Peter 3:15 (NASB) — “but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence . . . “

What the World Needs Now are More Tuas . . . and Tebows . . . and Chettes.

Divine Appointment with Mr. Jed

Tags