The Denver Broncos starting quarterback, and Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Tebow, may not have succeeded in another win against the New England Patriots on Saturday, but fans are still praying – and thousands more as well.
It is nothing new to see a quarterback drop to one knee after a snap – but it is an entirely different thing to see him kneel and pray. “Tebowing” is a word used to describe this “taking a knee” in prayer has officially entered the English language and has been added to the American lexicon.
But not everything you hear in the news is good, and Tim Tebow has been taking a lot of hits off the field for his public displays of worship.
You can hear comments made such as, “Jesus must be a Broncos fan,” or, “When Tim Tebow touches water it turns to Gatorade.” But perhaps a more offensive insult came from Stephen Tullock, Detroit Lions linebacker, who mocked Tebow after a sack by imitating the famed gesture.
Tulloch told the Denver Post, “I told a friend of mine that I might have a couple of sacks this game and if I get him, I am going to Tebow it.”
And while this kind of criticism is to be expected from the watching world, Tebow’s response to criticism is what is really on display – and he is standing remarkably in light of the opposition.
The Apostle Paul told the Church at Philippi, “Let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ…not frightened in anything by your opponents” (Philippians 1:27-28).
Clearly Tebow has taken that to heart, telling one souce, “He was just celebrating, having fun with his teammates and I don’t take offense to that.”
And it provided the perfect opportunity for him to show the watching world that he was above this small-minded mentality and that his personal faith does not make him a better person than anyone else.
Unfortunately the watching world sees far too many Christians who portray themselves to be better than everyone else. And while according to the Bible this puts them in a better position eternally, there is no room for bigotry in Christianity.
God tells us in the Bible, “but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’" (1 Peter 1:15-16). But this does not mean that Christians are entitled to act “holier than thou.” Rather, “let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:6).
Praying may not have made Tim Tebow the best quarterback in the NFL or the Denver Broncos the best football team, but that has not stopped God from receiving all the glory.
As a matter of fact, quite the opposite is true. When Tebow passed for 316 yards over Pittsburgh in the playoffs, the following day millions of people looked up John 3:16 on the internet causing it to be the number one search on Google.
Sources reveal that as a result hundreds or more have given their lives to Christ because of this phenomenon.
The famous passage? “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
Have you given your life to Christ? If not the Bible says you are condemned already, but by trusting in Him you will be saved (John 3:17-18).
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