Hardcore Fans

"Then Jesus told them, 'Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.' And they were amazed at Him" (Mark 12:17, HCSB).

Steelers, Cowboys, Redskins, Bears. What is your favorite NFL football team? Football is considered the most popular sport in the United States. The Super Bowl, the ultimate football test, is arguably the biggest annual sporting event held in the United States, with tens of thousands in attendance and millions watching on television. Why do you think so many people have such an allegiance to football?

  Would you consider yourself a diehard football fan? How do you know such a fan when you see one? To these devoted fans, their team comes first. In fact, faced with the choice of watching a football game or doing something else, the game wins pretty much every time. The game is just too precious a commodity to skip for the football enthusiast. On any given game day (and every day for some avid fans), car flags are flying, jerseys are worn with pride, faces are painted, and foam fingers are waved in the air.

  As believers, we fight a battle between right and wrong everyday. When we are serious about living out our faith, we will often find ourselves in a face-off with the world. As believers, we do not need to be torn between two allegiances. While we are to respect our government (vote, pay taxes, support the political process), we are to give ultimate allegiance only to God in order to live a victorious Christian life.

  What are some things vying for your allegiance? How can these cause divided allegiance to God? Christians must never forget that our true citizenship is in heaven, and our ultimate allegiance is to God.