Are You Dying?
- Kingdom Kulture
- Aug 17
- 6 min read
Growing up, I had very serious aspirations of playing professional football. It was something I had dreamed of doing since I was a kid. I understood that to reach the professional level, I needed to enroll in a college that would provide the necessary exposure.
One of my first college visits was to East Carolina University. My dad and I drove 4 hours to attend a football game on a Saturday. I was so excited. I had no idea what to expect. On one hand, I was watching a college that had been sending me letters every week. On the other hand, I actually got to watch a game that I wasn't playing in.
For the majority of my life, I've been the athlete on the field. Only a handful of times did I actually embrace the cold or heat and sit outside and watch a game for myself.
The stadium was packed. If I can remember correctly, that weekend was homecoming weekend. Being someone that the college was interested in, my dad and I were immediately ushered behind the scenes to get a closer look at the athletic program.
It was amazing, seeing the magnitude of everything coming from a small town in North Carolina. However, one thing that has stuck with me till this day wasn't the actual game or the tour, but rather the pre-game pep talk that the coach gave to the recruits. He told us that anytime the ref made a call that wasn't in favor of the team to scream at the top of our lungs, "BOOOOO!!"
He proceeded to tell us that it didn't matter if the ref made the right call or not. "Tell them they suck anyway." He said.
For the first time in my life, something clicked for me. It didn't actually matter what I was doing on the field, the fans would "Boo" based on their emotions, not on facts or truth. We were instructed to boo whenever something went against the home team and to clap if a decision favored the team, regardless of whether the call was correct.
Later on in my life, I came to a crossroads. For a majority of my life, I've had a form of godliness. I knew how to attend church (—who doesn't?) and avoid saying anything that might make me appear less "Christian." I also understood how to fulfill the role of a pastor's child, dressing and speaking appropriately. The reality, however, was that my life lacked the faith, love and peace that Jesus described.
"5 For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them]." - 2 Timothy 3:5 AMPC
As I began to dive deeper into the Bible while listening to sermon after sermon each day for years and years, I realized I wasn't actually a Christian based on the standard that Jesus set. I was only a Christian based on the standard of the lukewarm Christianity we have in America.
13-14 “Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowds of people do. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires total attention." - Matthew 7:13-14 MSG
Surprisingly, the closer I got to actually aligning myself with the Bible, the more people seemed to be upset.
"30 As He said these things, many believed in Him [trusted, relied on, and adhered to Him]. 31 So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples. 32 And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." - John 8:30-32 AMPC
Never in my life have I been called some of the things that I've been called since I made that decision.
"24 A disciple is not above his teacher, nor is a servant or slave above his master. 25 It is sufficient for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant or slave like his master. If they have called the Master of the house Beelzebub [master of the dwelling], how much more will they speak evil of those of His household. 26 So have no fear of them; for nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, or kept secret that will not become known." - Matthew 10:24-26 AMPC
The other day, I was cutting grass and God reminded me of this story at East Carolina University. A question came to mind. Am I concerned about the opinions of people who don't actually care enough to follow Jesus themselves?
As sports fans, we often speak so recklessly to the players on the field, not realizing for one moment that the things we have screamed for them to do we wouldn't even dream of attempting ourselves.
"3 So observe and practice all they tell you; but do not do what they do, for they preach, but do not practice. 4 They tie up heavy loads, hard to bear, and place them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger to help bear them." - Matthew 23:3-4 AMPC
Observing the life of Jesus, we notice a perfect individual who never sinned, yet faced hatred and multiple attempts on his life. However, since it was not his destined time to die, God spared him.
"21 For our sake He made Christ [virtually] to be sin Who knew no sin, so that in and through Him we might become [endued with, viewed as being in, and examples of] the righteousness of God [what we ought to be, approved and acceptable and in right relationship with Him, by His goodness]." - 2 Corinthians 5:21 AMPC
How could this be true? How can a person who was perfect to everyone be disliked by so many? As I reflect on comparing myself to Jesus, I notice one key difference between us. Like an athlete focused on the game, Jesus didn't concern Himself with the opinions of those merely observing from the sidelines.
"23 But when He was in Jerusalem during the Passover Feast, many believed in His name [identified themselves with His party] after seeing His signs (wonders, miracles) which He was doing. 24 But Jesus [for His part] did not trust Himself to them, because He knew all [men]; 25 And He did not need anyone to bear witness concerning man [needed no evidence from anyone about men], for He Himself knew what was in human nature. [He could read men’s hearts.]" - John 2:23-25 AMPC
I realized that I was trying to live for the love of people while simultaneously trying to follow a Savior that was hated for no reason. This was making my walk with God nearly impossible. Paul said so himself. If he wanted to please man he probably shouldn't be a servant of Christ.
"10 Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah)." - Galatians 1:10 AMPC
The reality is that from a young age, we are often conditioned to conform, regardless of the circumstances. We are instructed to follow what the adults dictate. Yet, in the Bible, it was the adults, entrenched in their traditions and beliefs, who sought the death of the Son of God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
"24 So when Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but rather that a riot was about to break out, he took water and washed his hands in the presence of the crowd, saying, I am not guilty of nor responsible for this righteous Man’s blood; see to it yourselves. 25 And all the people answered, Let His blood be on us and on our children! 26 So he set free for them Barabbas ; and he [had] Jesus whipped, and delivered Him up to be crucified." - Matthew 27:24-26 AMPC
They were stuck in their traditional ways and unwilling to acknowledge that God, the Creator of the universe, might have various methods of accomplishing things. What made Jesus so effective as a leader and Savior was that He remained indifferent to whether they were happy or sad; His countenance remained unchanged.
"51 You stubborn and stiff-necked people, still heathen and uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always actively resisting the Holy Spirit. As your forefathers [were], so you [are and so you do]! 52 Which of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute? And they slew those who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, Whom you now have betrayed and murdered—" - Acts 7:51-52 AMPC
Someone told me once, "If you live for their acceptance, you will die from their rejection." This remains true today. Most people strive for the approval of their parents, spouses, or even themselves, only to face rejection and disappointment repeatedly. This often leads many into cycles of sex, drugs, and alcohol. Today, I urge you to start living for the approval of the only One that truly matters in the end.
Question of the Day: Are you dying from rejection because you have been living for acceptance?
