27/08/2025
🏀 What Kind of Player Are You? (Luke 8:19-21)
​We've all seen them on the court—the baller. They've got the flash, the moves, and they can light up the scoreboard. They know the rules, but they're always looking for a workaround. Their talent and success are all about them. They might be skilled, but they don’t always respect the game, the officials, or even the coach. They're a one-man show.
​But then there’s the player. A player has character. They respect the rules and the people in authority—the coach, the teammates, the officials. They understand the purpose of the sport isn't just winning, but playing with integrity. A true player submits to the authority above them, knowing that doing so makes the entire team better.
​This distinction reminds me of the difference between knowing about Jesus and truly following Him. In Luke 8:19-21, Jesus is teaching a crowd when His mother and brothers show up. They want to see Him. You'd think Jesus would drop everything, right? But His response is surprising: "My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."
​Jesus is making a powerful point. Many people are like the "baller" for Christ. They have head knowledge. They know about Jesus—that He's the Son of God, that He's all-powerful, and that He can perform miracles. They know the rules of the Christian life, but they find ways to work around them. Their faith is about what they can get from God or how they can use Him to their advantage. They don't truly submit to His authority.
​But Jesus is calling us to be players in His kingdom. A player doesn't just know the rules; they live by them. A player doesn't just know who the coach is; they submit to His every instruction. Jesus is the ultimate authority, the author of our life. Being a player for Him means we don't just know His Word, we do it. We don't just believe in His power, we entrust our entire lives to Him in complete obedience.
​You don't have to fear when Jesus is the author of your life. He wrote the playbook and He has your best interest at heart. The victory isn't just in winning games; it’s in playing with integrity, character, and complete submission to Him.
​So, are you just a baller for Christ, or are you a true player? Are you simply familiar with Jesus, or are you willing to submit to His authority and live in obedience to His Word?
The choice is yours. Trust Him, and become the player He’s calling you to be.
