Whenever I meet someone from the New York Metro area I always ask “Mets or
Yankees?” And if you grew up back there, you know of what I speak. You either
love one team and hate the other, and it has always been that way. Except for a
void formed when both the Giants and Dodgers moved west, and for those who
worshipped the National League, and locals had no one to turn to. Moods,
attitudes, family decisions, and other important things were based on if the
Dodgers or Giants won. My father took his first and only job in Scotch Plains
based on the fact he could get the Dodgers on channel 9. Dinner may be burned
or late, but if your team won, all was forgiven. But for four seasons this void
left many fans with no local New York team, and the Yankees didn’t fill the
void. The Yankees were from the other league, and tradition was the Yankees vs.
who in the World Series. So when the Mets were formed for the 1962 season,
baseball was officially back in New York, and all was well with the world
again. Win or lose, baseball was back, and the 40-120 first year Mets soon
outdrew the Yankees in attendance. Yankee fans knew all about the Yankees, true
baseball fans knew all about the baseball. And never confuse the two....
With the proliferation of Harley Davidson and their marketing genius
comeback after Reagan helped bail them out via a tariff on imported bikes over
700cc’s, many today know all about the brand they worship. Even rookies can
tell a Pan from a Knuckle from a TwinCam, from the new Milwaukee Eight. They
know all about Harleys, but little else about motorcycling. I expect an
argument here, to prove my point name some other brands exist, that were and are
thriving today, who outperform them everywhere else but the sales floor? The
Yankees might have been good for baseball, but they weren’t baseball, just as
Harley is good for motorcycling, but they aren’t all motorcycling has to offer.
Triumph is back for 30 years now, and a premium brand. Indian is back, again
and again and again, hopefully for good, check out their new 750cc flat
tracker. Despite corporate managers dumping Buell from Harley almost ten years
ago, Buell is making his EBR, again. I rode one, fast but crude, what would you
expect from a V twin based on Harley? Harley’s decision at the time, it is
easier to sell $3000 worth of chrome than to sell a bike that isn’t a Harley.
But motorcycling is alive and well, even if sales are down, with great models
available form all makes, a Golden Age if you will. And if you think that
Harley and other type customers cannot be converted, check out any metric
dealer’s used bike section, almost totally devoted to Harley Davidson, recent
years, low miles, and priced much lower. Only the few like my departed friend
Glen would agree, other bikes are better, but I will only ride a Harley. I
happen to like all motorcycles, I choose to ride Triumphs, but also own a
vintage 1978 Suzuki, and have ridden the new Indian Scout, various Yamahas, and
all but a recent Ducati. Like Spud at the Harley store, I have this thing
called motorcycles, and I love them all. Harley and other, BMW and other. I
ride, what’s your excuse? Now if a Harley rider can convert to a motorcycle,
can a Yankee fan convert to baseball?
Now while these civil wars exist within baseball and motorcycle, and cars,
Ford vs. Chevy, with MOPAR an honorable mention, they should never exist within
the church. Paul warns of this in Romans, about those who may even appear to be
Christians, quote scripture, and their pastor, but have an agenda to create a
schism within the body. We see them in groups with churches, who think their
doctrine is best, for everyone. They argue over ideas and will misquote
scripture to prove their point. Even using the words of Jesus against the
church, telling that their belief is the only one, all others are blasphemy.
Not quoting, but misquoting Jesus, for things he never said. Their way is the
mark of a true believer, the rest of us aren’t Christians in their view. They
say if you have their mark of belief, if you believe like they do, then you are
saved. Cults, and certain denominations are like this, they do not serve
Christ, but their own selfish needs, boosting themselves up using flattering
words, presenting an image, and an air of superiority if you believe like they
do. They take one aspect of Christianity and build a religion around it, they
may talk and act spiritual, but inside are ravenous wolves, and need to be
avoided.
Now unlike supporting your favorite team, or motorcycle, we tend to be
competitive in what we believe. Yet Paul tells us do not take them on from the
pulpit or one on one. Avoid them, and if anyone who has tried to change their
evil destructive ways knows, they will change you long before you change them.
It is the spirit’s job to change, not us, we are simply messengers of the
gospel, good news about Jesus Christ. We are to avoid them, God will deal with
them and preserve the peace within the body, all other ways invite dissension,
and split churches. Sadly it goes on to many ways today, just mention building
or upgrading your church, and watch as the sides divide against each other. If
you cannot choose carpet and get along, what makes you think you can change
another’s heart? We need to know that the same God who saved us, who preserves
the peace he gave us, will also crush Satan under your feet. These groups will
split off and seek another place to spread their poison, without warfare or
dissension. Jesus changes lives, sometimes despite us. A message we need to
consider if we are to grow in him and our church also.
How would you describe your church? One of prophecy, teaching, spiritual
gifts, one that emphasizes the word above all else, or one of love? One that is
spirit driven? How do you describe yourself in your church? Do you follow
doctrine or Jesus? Do you see these groups of dissension within your body, are
you part of one? Have you based your life on Jesus or religion? Would you
rather argue your point than minister to those who need love? Is God at work in
your life? Do you know all about Jesus, but never met him? Are you a Yankee fan
who doesn’t like baseball, maybe a Harley owner who doesn’t ride? Too many
garages have them in the corner under a cover, owned never ridden, is your light
shining for Christ? What you ride or who you cheer for is important, but will
not get you into heaven. Only Jesus will. Some things are worth arguing about,
salvation is not one of them. It is God’s business left best to him. And yes
Harley owners and Yankee fans get saved, just like Honda and Triumph owners do.
By Jesus, for there is no other name under heaven or earth that can save. What
is on your heart is what will come out of your mouth, sure you want to say what
you are about to say?
Seek Jesus first, then all other things will be added unto us. Motorcycle
and sports teams. As true Christians we should stand out in the dark world of
today, by our love, not by winning an argument. Not by being superior, but by
humbling ourselves and being like Jesus. Serving not demanding to be served.
Today many ride Harleys who would never ride anything else, it is good for
motorcycling. Many are Yankee fans, it is good for baseball. As Christians we
need to unit in the spirit instead of denominations or teachings or pastors or
religion. Only in the spirit will we truly be free, to ride or choose who we
want to cheer for. God lets the decision up to us.....we are all slaves to
something, we only become a bond slave to Christ by choice.
The Mets filled a void in 1962, National League baseball was back in the
Big Apple. Harley is back and causing many others to think motorcycle. When
you hear the name of Jesus what do you think? Church, doctrines, religion,
maybe unity? Only in the spirit will we be united as one, one in Christ. By
his spirit, not ours. He changes lives, we interfere. Are you a fan of Jesus
or do you know him? Are his colors on your heart? An old Triumph ad attacked
Honda, are you an expert or an enthusiast? The expert knew his bike, the
enthusiast rode. The expert knew the part numbers, the history, the enthusiast
rode. Are you religious or enthusiastic? Which means God inspired? Next time
someone asks is are you in the word, respond is the word in you? If they have to
ask....maybe you need some enthusiasm in your life. Let the spirit free again
and enjoy the game. Enjoy the ride. Enjoy being a Christian. What good is fun
if you don’t enjoy it? Avoid quarrels within the church, all you have to do is
argue and you have already lost. Paul knew this, for the spirit guided him.
Jesus never argued.....can we say the same? Enthusiast or expert, are you in
the word or is it it you? If it is not all about Jesus it is religion....take
it up with him. I did and it made all the difference. And I have love, joy,
and peace to prove it. Against which there is no law, so no argument. Jesus
loves me this I know, do you? Quit bragging about what a great Christian you
are and show me. And watch as God changes lives, maybe even you!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com