Commentary: Whose team are you on? By LESTER POTTS Thursday, November 5, 2026 Last weekend, my wife, Edie, and I attended the Georgia–Florida football game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. As you might imagine, the atmosphere was electric. Everywhere we looked, Georgia fans proudly wore red and black, while Florida supporters wore orange and blue. Hotels, restaurants, and sidewalks were packed with enthusiastic fans. Nobody seemed reluctant to declare their allegiance. When the game ended, Georgia had defeated Florida, 27–8. As a Bulldog fan, I certainly enjoyed the victory. But something far more important than football dominated my thoughts that weekend. What would our world look like if Christians demonstrated the same enthusiasm for Jesus Christ that we display for our favorite football teams? Think about it. We willingly spend hours discussing football, proudly wear our team's colors, and celebrate victories with enthusiasm. Yet how often do we hesitate to speak about the One who offers eternal life? In Romans 1:16, the Apostle Paul declared, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes." Paul understood something we sometimes forget. The gospel is not merely another message vying for attention. It is God's power to save a lost world. There is nothing wrong with enjoying football. I love the game myself. But our enthusiasm for earthly pursuits should never overshadow our devotion to Jesus Christ. Consider another question. If someone spent an entire day with you, would they recognize that you are a follower of Christ? At the stadium, nobody needed to ask which team someone supported. Their clothing, conversations, and enthusiasm made their allegiance clear. Christian identity, however, should be demonstrated through something far more meaningful than mere outward appearances. Jesus said in Matthew 5:14, "You are the light of the world." Our light shines through compassion, integrity, forgiveness, generosity, and our willingness to share the hope found in Christ. We are not called to advertise ourselves but to reflect our Savior. Unfortunately, many Christians hesitate to speak openly about their faith. We worry about offending someone, straining a friendship, or being ridiculed. Yet consider Peter and John. When the religious authorities commanded them to stop speaking about Jesus, they replied, "For we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard" (Acts 4:20). Their courage should challenge us. Of course, sharing our faith does not mean becoming argumentative or treating those who disagree as enemies. Scripture teaches the exact opposite. First Peter 3:15 instructs believers to explain their hope with gentleness and respect. Our responsibility is not to win arguments but to faithfully communicate the truth of Jesus Christ while demonstrating His love. The Florida fans around us were not enemies. They simply supported another team. Likewise, those who reject our Christian beliefs are not enemies to defeat. They are people whom God calls us to love. Every person we encounter has an eternal soul. That thought took on particular meaning as I looked around the stadium. Thousands of people surrounded us, each with personal struggles, hopes, disappointments, and spiritual needs. How many needed someone to tell them about Jesus? Christ's Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20 was not reserved exclusively for pastors, missionaries, or evangelists. Every believer has a responsibility to share the gospel. We may not all preach sermons, but we can speak to neighbors, encourage coworkers, minister to struggling friends, and share how Christ has worked in our lives. We must also remember that salvation is God's work, not ours. As Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3:6, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." Our calling is faithfulness. God produces the results. Eventually, the football game ended. The stadium emptied, the cheering died down, and everyone returned to ordinary life. One day, our earthly lives will also come to an end. Championships, possessions, accomplishments, and recognition will fade into insignificance. But our relationship with Jesus Christ carries eternal consequences. Football fans celebrate victories they hope their teams will achieve, while Christians proclaim a victory Jesus Christ has already accomplished through His death and resurrection. That message is worth sharing. So, the next time someone asks which football team you support, answer enthusiastically, and enjoy the conversation. But remember an infinitely more important question: Does the way you live reveal whose team you are really on? May we never be ashamed to proclaim that we belong to Jesus Christ. ___ Lester Potts was born and raised in Tifton, Georgia.  In addition to his secular work, he has worked in non-profit administration with the Mell Baptist Association and served as a Sunday School teacher for 25 years. He is currently a deacon at First Baptist Church in Tifton. He has been a lay preacher for ten years, including three interim pastorates. Now retired, he continues to preach and teach occasionally. 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