You don’t have to be an avid football fan to know that Denver Broncos’ quarterback Tim Tebow has revolutionized the game in 2011. No longer does the spread offense only win football games. Now, with a little offensive innovation and great coaching, the Tebow-led Broncos have run off 5 wins in their last 6 contests. With such a remarkable turnaround, the Broncos are thinking playoffs.
However, the story goes deeper. Ever since he’s been in the spotlight, Tim Tebow has never failed to acknowledge Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. Go back to his college days at Florida and you’ll remember his eye-black inscriptions of John 3:16 or Proverbs 3:5-6. Now a quarterback in the NFL, Tebow hasn’t backed down. In a recent interview Jake Plummer, former Bronco’s quarterback, had this to say in relation to Tebow being outspoken about faith in Jesus:
“I wish he’d just shut up after a game and go hug his teammates. I think that when he accepts the fact that we know that he loves Jesus Christ then I think I’ll like him a little better. I don’t hate him because of that, I just would rather not have to hear that every time he takes a good snap or makes a good handoff.”
Tebow responded with the following:
“If you’re married, and you have a wife, and you really love your wife, is it good enough to only say to your wife, I love her, the day you get married? Or should you tell her every single day when you wake up and have the opportunity? And that’s how I feel about my relationship with Jesus Christ. It is the most important thing in my life, so every opportunity I have to tell him I love him, or I’m given an opportunity to shout him out on national TV, I’m going to take that opportunity.”
To Christians, this is encouraging. Many times we see professional athletes profess Christ on a public stage but later disappoint us with their actions. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying we should raise Tebow up to be some sort of idol. Men inherently will disappoint. Rather, to see someone, dare I say, demonized, by the mainstream media and keep proclaiming Christ is something to be encouraged about. Paul tells us in Romans 1:16 that he is “not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” Likewise, God commands us in 1 Timothy 1:8, “Do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord.” In his unashamedness, Tebow has demonstrated the power of God in the gospel. Many have scoffed and wielded their insults, which in some sense, provides evidence to the legitimacy of Tebow’s witness.
Some still suggest Tebow keep quiet. Kurt Warner, retired NFL star and fellow Christian, says, “You can’t help but cheer for a guy like that. But I’d tell him, ‘Put down the boldness in regards to the words, and keep living the way you’re living. Let your teammates do the talking for you. Let them cheer on your testimony.’ I know what he’s going through, and I know what he wants to accomplish, but I don’t want anybody to become calloused toward Tim because they don’t understand him, or are not fully aware of who he is. And you’re starting to see that a little bit.”
Later, Warner says, “There’s almost a faith cliche, where (athletes) come out and say, ‘I want to thank my Lord and savior. As soon as you say that, the guard goes up, the walls go up, and I came to realize you have to be more strategic. The greatest impact you can have on people is never what you say, but how you live. When you speak and represent the person of Jesus Christ in all actions of your life, people are drawn to that. You set the standard with your actions. The words can come after.”
Is Warner right? Should we simply live moral lives and let the gospel “speak for itself”? Should we put away the strategy of speaking if people are becoming calloused towards us? Let me begin by saying that the Christian life is not lived in a theological vacuum. We live in a real world and make real decisions. Therefore, we must remember to live holy, Christ-centered lives as we tell people about the gospel. James reminds us of this when he says “Faith without works is dead.”
However, I don’t think this is where Warner is going with his comments. It seems, on the other hand, as if he’s telling Tebow: “People don’t like you very much right now. Tone it down and you’ll be more accepted.” That’s a very generalized paraphrase, but nonetheless, I think it captures the essence of Warner’s advice. Is it sound advice? I would say no for several reasons. I’ll give three.
First, it gives the impression that Christians care more about this present world than the one to come. If Tebow tones down his acknowledgment of Christ because people object, does that say he cares more about man’s opinion or God’s? As Christians, in constantly thanking God, despite opposition, it let’s our hearers know that we care about something far more valuable than mere human approval.
Second, it goes against what we are taught in Scripture of how the gospel spreads. Romans 10:14 asks the question, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” I know that Tebow is not preaching. But Romans makes clear that our gospel message is spread through the spoken word. People will never be saved by watching Tim Tebow (or you and me) live a moral life. We are to be unashamed of the good news because in hearing the gospel there is great power – the power to save.
Third, the justice of God is limited in the lives of unbelievers. In 2 Corinthians 2:15, Paul says, “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life.” For those who are perishing, or unbelievers, having a disdain for the gospel proves their condemnation. This scenario is evident in Tebow’s case. To some, his constant acknowledgments are sweet. To some, they are as a terrible odor. As to God, he is glorified in both ways. In the lives of those being saved, he is glorified in his grace. In the lives of unbelievers, he is glorified in his justice. Both are essential to God’s glory.
In sum, I hope Tim Tebow keeps up the good work. I hope he continues to win football games and makes the playoffs. But above all, I hope he continues to thank God and share Jesus with others.
