Playing for the Old Team

The author of this excerpt, Mike McKinley, is pastor of Gilford Baptist Church near D.C. He should have a special claim on the hearts of folks at GBC Hartsville, because he was Rob Spinney's pastor from 2007-2010. McKinley was trained at Capitol Hill Baptist Church (where Josh and Abby Abbotoy are members) under Mark Dever, and at Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia. Pastor Carroll and I have both had the pleasure of hearing him preach during our visits with Rob, and can vouch for his soundness. This excerpt is from his book Am I Really a Christian? The chapter is entitled "You Are Not a Christian if you Enjoy Sin" (and if that title troubles you, read the book). 

But what would you think of someone who put on a new jersey but kept playing for the old team? That’s what we’re doing as Christians whenever we sin. We’re playing for the old team even though we’re wearing the new jersey. Sin for someone who claims to be a Christian is a strange kind of treason. It is taking Satan’s side in rebellion against God even though you’re saying you’re on God’s side. Don’t misunderstand. All Christians continue to struggle with sin. But the Bible also suggests that if your life continues to be characterized by a casual and comfortable attitude toward sin, you should stop and think about what you really are. Never mind what jersey you think you’re wearing. Who are you really playing for? If it’s mostly for the other team, maybe you really belong to their roster, after all. Here’s another way to put it: you are not a Christian if you love sin.

Mike McKinley, Am I Really a Christian? (9marks) (pp. 60-61). Crossway. Kindle Edition. 

 http://www.amazon.com/Am-I-Really-Christian-9marks/dp/1433525763/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319289836&sr=1-1