Tim Tebow’s Faith and the Absurd Phrase “Really Big Christian”
“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.” – Luke 9:26
Through the years, I have been perplexed by a particular phrase used by many Christians within evangelical circles. It’s when one believer describes another believer as a “really big Christian.” To me this term is nonsense. What really is a “big” Christian? Does it refer to a believer that has a weight problem; obviously not. What it wrongly suggests is that there are different tiers within the Christian faith. It suggests that when we surrender our lives to the Lordship of Jesus Christ, that we have the option of only being somewhat committed to Christ and choose to be a “small” or “medium” Christian. But the irony of that statement is found in the fact that if you desire to have a small or medium commitment to Christ, then you really haven’t surrendered and submitted to His Lordship in the first place. The cliché “really big Christian” also suggests that if you are open about your faith, then you must be a “really big Christian.” But expressing your faith does not make you a “big” Christian, it makes you an “obedient” Christian; for it is a command that every believer is called to obey. How has the evangelical community deteriorated to the point where we see our personal faith in God by way of fast food jargon? The flaw in “really big Christian” is that it suggests that we can opt out of radical abandonment to Christ and yet still be part of the redeemed family of God. It suggests that we can be partially committed to Christ rather than fully committed to Christ, and that in the end it will be okay. This is a very disturbing trend. The truth is that we are all called to be committed followers of Jesus Christ. Case closed. There are no minor league or major league Christians.
These things have come to my attention in recent days with the social media craze surrounding Denver Broncos Quarterback, Tim Tebow. No doubt, it is evident that his life purpose is not to play football, but to glorify God. Yet because of his commitment to the Lord, he has been described by many evangelicals as a “really big Christian.” Whenever someone uses this phrase, they might as well hang a billboard over their head that reads, “I am a medium sized Christian” or a sign that reads, “Not hot for God, only lukewarm.” The bottom line is this; shouldn’t we all be living out our faith as Tim Tebow does? And why is it that Tim Tebow’s radical commitment to Christ seems foreign to so many believers? After all, shouldn’t believers be the ones most familiar with his lifestyle? I commend Tim Tebow for his openness about his personal faith in Christ. But when did being mediocre for God become the accepted norm so that when someone actually does live out their faith as Tebow does, they are described as “a big Christian?” Oh how we have lowered the bar of expectation!
The Bible makes it clear that we are not to be ashamed of the gospel. We are to proudly bear the name of King Jesus. We are called to unabashedly serve Him with no hesitation or reservation. We do not cower down in the face of adversity or criticism. We hold high His banner and do so with a fervent zeal and passion for our Savior. Yet if these things do not describe you, then how real is your faith to begin with? As His disciples, are we are to be dedicated followers of Him. Being a Christian means being fully devoted to Christ. It means that every avenue of your life has been completely penetrated by the Holy Spirit of God. There is no such thing as a life partially penetrated by the Holy Spirit of God, just like there is no such thing as a carnal Christian. Following Christ is not something that can be done casually or discretely. Ponder these truths today, and Ask God to help you be fully devoted to Him.
January 17, 2012 at 1:01 am |
I believe that god is doing great things in Tim Tebow’s life as God does everyday in many lives.The only thing different between Tim and his faith and any true believer is nothing.The difference we all are seeing is that because of Tim’s obedience to Jesus Christ he has been put in a place in his life and in our lives to be a witness of his faith and Obedience to Christ and Tim’s desire to play the game of football great..Again Tim was being obedient when in Ecclesiastes 9:10 What ever your hands find to do,do it with all your might. Well it is apparent Tim Tebow is doing it with all his might and God is using what Tim’s hands found to do he is doing it with all his might again being obedient ,and God is using it to witness to the world and lift up the name of Jesus Christ.Tim is not just being a great witness to the lost but reminds Christian men and women in all trades in our lives how we should let Jesus show up at work in our lives everyday.Tim Tebow and the faith he has in Christ and his witness can only make the world our father in Heaven Created a better place to live .I love my brother in Christ Tim Tebow and pray for his journey in life and I pray that many lives will be changed because of his faith and witness.
Tim is only doing what Jesus commanded us all to do ,I don’t know what a “Big Christian” is But I know what faithful Christian is when I see one.
January 18, 2012 at 8:54 am |
Very good article. I agree with it all. My prayer is that I to could be a bigger, better christian than I am. It is getter harder and harder with the world becoming lax in the Word of God. The media is making Tebow out to be more than just a sinner saved by GRACE. I am a sinner but one than is saved by GRACE. I pray that we could all do what is expected from us as our testimony and daily witness.
January 22, 2012 at 3:29 pm |
Stephen and Keith, I could not agree more…Thank you brothers!