Good morning. I would like to direct our thoughts today to a topic that is universal in its need: repentance. We have all sinned (Romans 3:21-24) and therefore we all share the same critical need to repent.
I am a fan of professional football. I would love to be celebrating the Vikings, but maybe next year… There is a particular player whose professional path I have found somewhat fascinating. His name is Antonio Brown, and until last Sunday he was a receiver for the team in Tampa Bay, which won the Super Bowl last year. I say “until last week” because in the 2nd half of their game, with his team trailing by a couple of scores and their place in the playoffs on the line…he quit. When I say he quit, I mean he suddenly took off his jersey and shoulder pads, then he took off his undershirt and his gloves, throwing them into the stands, and while applauding himself, he skipped through the endzone on his way to the showers. No one had ever seen anything like it. The reason for his quitting seems to be somewhat in question. He (or at least his agent/lawyers) claim that he was injured. His physical activity as he left the field does make one wonder. It is suggested by teammates that he didn’t feel that the team’s priorities were in order. While his teammates were playing desperately to win the game, he thought their attention should have been on ensuring that he caught a few more passes to make certain that he would receive a bonus in his pay.
The thing is, as weird as this behavior was, no one was all that surprised. His entire career has been marked by event after event of strange and often horrific behavior. The real question regarding this particular fellow is why teams continue to give him additional opportunities. The answer is: he is a very talented athlete. That has always been the carrot which entices teams, but his previous behavior should tell them that it wasn’t going to work out. As often as he has been signed by another team, they assure their fans that “Antonio has learned from his mistakes. We are confident that those problems are now behind him”. I wonder if this time it will be all of the NFL teams that have learned from their mistakes concerning him.
The problem is that while he may truly be in the midst of a learning process regarding his behavior, he has never shown any interest in repentance. He has never said that he was sorry for the trouble he has caused. He hasn’t suggested that he regretted that his behaviors had proven to be detrimental rather than beneficial to any of his team’s goals. He has never taken the steps in repentance to give himself a chance for future success.
The coaches and general managers of NFL teams would better understand how unlikely it will be for things to work out with Antonio Brown if they were given to understanding and applying God’s Word. God’s Word makes it clear that proper repentance is essential to making a righteous change in our lives, and there is a process that must be followed.
The process of repentance is: 1. Confession We need to recognize our problem and find the strength to confront it. This means confessing our sin to others. 2. Correction We must not only admit our wrongdoing, we must correct it. This means doing all that we can to undo any damage, correct any failures, and to mend what has been broken. 3. Ask Forgiveness As the parable of the Prodigal Son teaches us, the young man knew he had to face the truth that he had sinned against God and man, and this meant asking forgiveness from both. So it is with us. Asking for forgiveness is a humbling experience, and that is only one of its benefits. 4. Commitment to Accountability Even though we may have wonderfully good intentions, we will find ourselves continuing to fail and returning to our ways of sin unless we commit ourselves to being accountable. This means enlisting the help of Christian friends who are willing to correct us in gentle love but correct us none the less. 5. Accept our Limitations We need to be honest with ourselves and with others. We cannot revisit the places and people and situations that led us into sinful behaviors and expect that this time it will be different. We have to admit that we have a problem(s) and act with Godly wisdom to avoid vulnerable circumstances. 6. Faithful to God-Given Tasks Repentant people are faithful to the daily tasks God has given them. We serve a merciful God who delights in giving second chances. God offers repentant people a restored relationship with Him and a new plan for life.
Stories of narcissistic football players like Antonio Brown aside, remembering the God given process of repentance is the way to our righteous path. We all need to remember this process, because we all sin and therefore have need of it from time to time.
God bless you as you walk in joy today!
Vern