You’re on the Same Team
As some of you, we are currently finishing up the spring sports season with a few of our kids. My husband and I have willingly accepted a coaching position for our daughter’s soccer team. My husband is also helping to coach a baseball team that 2 of our boys are on. As we have been back and forth to soccer fields and baseball fields I am constantly reminded of being on a team. I often find myself telling the soccer team “You’re on the same team!” As the same color jerseys go after the ball at the same time. When you are on a team you have players you are working alongside towards a common goal – winning the game! You also have an opponent who is trying to do the same.
God has chosen us to represent Christ to the unbelieving world around us. When I say “us,” I am referring to those who are in Christ, those who call themselves Christian; those on the same team!
In Ephesians 4:1-2 Paul urges us “to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Once we have accepted Jesus as the Lord and Savior of our life, we have the incredible privilege of being called a part of Christ’s very own team. We now are working alongside other team players - Christians, toward winning the game.
Paul reiterates this same thought in Philippians 1: 27 “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel”.
As Christ’s representatives, we need to be firmly united with all believers so that when the attacks from this adverse world come, we can stand united; shoulder-to-shoulder, arm-in-arm, to stand firm. This also applies to the Church. It takes spiritual solidarity to be of one mind - that is Jesus Christ. He’s the one that unites us. Since we represent Jesus to the unbelieving world, we need to do it well. We can do this by remembering that we are on the SAME team and begin to build unity among our team.
Paul continues in Ephesians verse 3 “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” The Holy Spirit is the one who leads us into unity; we only need to be led by him and do our part to keep the peace among the team. We do that by focusing on God, not ourselves or others.
Continuing in Ephesians, “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (v4-6) All believers in Christ belong to one body or ONE team who are united under ONE head; Jesus Christ.
The unity of believers becomes our team jersey color (in keeping with the team analogy). Unity is what distinguishes those who are on Jesus’ team and those who aren’t. However, much time and effort is lost by fighting against those in the same jersey color instead of uniting against the real opposition. This is not a good representation to those not on the team. In fact, it turns them from the team. It takes a courageous team to resist infighting and maintain the common purpose of serving on Jesus’ team.
Let’s remember we are on the same team fighting against the same opponent! Stand united!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: NIKI GOODMAN
Niki Goodman serves as a part of the PennDel Women Dream Team. She is passionate about women’s ministry as she sees its value in bringing women together for fellowship and equipping women in their God-given purpose. Her heart is to see mentoring relationships occurring among women of all ages as identified in Titus 2. Niki has served alongside her husband in ministry for 16 years. She lives in a rural town, DuBoise, PA, where she and her husband, James lead Life Community Church. They have 4 wonderful children - Hannah Ethan, Micah, Caleb, and their 5th blessing is due in October. And to add to the crazy they have an 11m month old golden doodle, Addie!