“Fire the bum” emanated from the back of the restaurant as we attempted to enjoy our dinner in some semblance of peace. I’m sure it happens around the country every game day — the “armchair quarterbacks” are second-guessing every play from the comfort of their couch, chair, booth, or recliner. I’m sure many of these “quarterbacks” can quote impressive statistics of games played, yards run, touchdowns scored, and more about the player or team they are criticizing.

There’s something about being in the game that the armchair quarterbacks will never experience. Not being a professional athlete, I would hazard to say that someone who served in the military knows a lot more than those who articulate their after-the-fact critique. Combat and professional sports are both messy affairs — a lot like church, which is not without its rendition of armchair quarterbacks. When you have no skin in the game, your inclination is to be critical of the work being done and the way it is accomplished.

There’s not much we can do about spectator sports, but we need to make sure that church is an “all hands on deck” undertaking! There are many illustrations in Scripture, but I’ll limit it to two. First, the Church corporate is described as a body, made up of many members. A short list of parts in I Corinthians 12 includes feet, hands, ears, eyes, nose, and head. After showing the incongruity of a body missing any of its parts, the Apostle Paul says this: “Now you are the Body of Christ and individually members of it” (I Corinthians 12:27, ESV). If you lose a finger or a toe, your whole body is going to feel the pain. Every part is connected and has a function to perform.

The Church is also described as a temple built by God and indwelt by the Holy Spirit. “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple” (I Corinthians 3:16-17). Peter gives us some additional insight into this illustration. “As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (I Peter 2:4-5). Each believer is a living stone, placed by God in His spiritual temple with a specific purpose. Just like your house has cabinets, flooring, walls, supports, power outlets, and more, each with a specific function, every believer has been given a purpose by God in the Body of Christ.

I’d like you to contemplate one final thought. What is your function in the Body of Christ? If you’re a believer, you are on the team, not a spectator in the stands. In the same way your favorite team is going to struggle without its star quarterback, your church is going to be less effective if you don’t put on the jersey and get in the game. Some days you’re in the starting lineup, and some days you’re on the bench. The “Coach” knows His players’ strengths and weaknesses, and He’ll put you in at just the right time. We gain some yards, and we lose some yards. We may take some hits, but we also make some hits. You must be in the game to understand what it’s really like.

So, ask yourself: “Am I growing and maturing as a Christian?” God only works in and through the believers who suit up and get out on the field, so if your prayers aren’t being answered and you are not “overcoming” in your battle with the world, the flesh, and the devil, you might want to reevaluate your approach to being a man of God, sitting in the stands. What say ye, Man of Valor?