We have quickly learned that college sports will never be the same now that the door has swung wide open for college athletes to profit off of their name, image, and likeness.
Over the last year, we have seen athletes making pretty significant money through sponsorships, product endorsements, autographs, and appearances.
This has led to college athletes being seen in commercials, staying longer in school, and benefiting financially from their social media platforms.
There are plenty of gray areas and unintended consequences taking place, especially with the involvement of boosters and schools with access to wealthy alumni. But for now, there seem to be endless opportunities for athletes to maximize their name, image, and likeness.
Athletes are quickly recognizing the value of their “NIL.” They can now embrace its power, the added freedom, the enjoyable benefits, and the potential for financial transformation.
Today, I want to unpack how name, image, and likeness are found in the Bible and how our lives can be transformed when we understand the opportunity, power, and availability of God’s “NIL.”
First, we must embrace the truth that God is the creator. His approach to making humans is found in Genesis 1:26-27 (ESV):
“Then God said, ‘Let us make man in Our image, after Our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” We are made in the image of God and after His likeness, but because of sin and brokenness, we need to be born again. This happens by placing our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and receiving His salvation. In Him, we are made new. Ephesians 4:24 (ESV) tells us “…to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Colossians 3:10 (ESV) also explains, “… and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
As we follow Jesus, we become more like Him and transformed into His image.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NLT) says, “But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.”
The Lord’s image and likeness are available to us in Jesus and there is also power in His name.
Romans 10:13 (ESV) declares, “For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
Philippians 2:9-11 (ESV) adds, “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
We recognize that there is some earthly value in the name, image, and likeness of athletes, but ultimately we find eternal value, transforming benefits, true power, and lasting freedom because of the name of our Creator, Savior, and Lord.
Praise God that we have the opportunity to be conformed into His image, and likeness!
I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I believe in the power and freedom found in the name of Jesus. Thank you for conforming me into the image of Your Son and transforming me into Your likeness. I pray I would represent Your name, image, and likeness well, as I live my life for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:
What comes to mind when you think about the name of Jesus?
In what ways has He transformed you into His likeness?
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