What a topic heading into Easter weekend, am I right? Sheesh!

When I wrote about Jaden Ivey last week, it was based on his one response to not playing for the first time in his career. I thought his perspective in that moment was great, and I personally was encouraged by it. What happened this week, and the details we learned that led up to him being waived by the Bulls were completely different and honestly one of the most surprising things in sports this year. What it’s turned into on social media and on sports shows everywhere was even more surprising. Seeing Christianity on display and debated over in the manner that it was was extremely uncomfortable, and unfortunately, the man I championed last week was the source of it.

To understand what was going on, I committed myself to understanding how and why this escalated so quickly. As I watched all his livestreams, read all his responses, read all the reporting, and did some digging myself with some of the NBA connections I’ve made over the years in the business, I realized a pattern began to form. There were already concerns after the Bulls traded for him. Reporters in Detroit had sent word to reporters in Chicago to prepare for a “sermon” every day. Jaden would routinely press people around the organization and in the locker room asking, “Were they saved?” and if they “have fornicated”. He was reportedly categorizing players who he believed were righteous and who were not. When talking with reporters, he had to be guided back to basketball, as he would often go on a tangent about his faith. All of this made the environment untenable for the organization, so what many believe was the reason he was waived- his comments regarding the LGBTQ community and the NBA’s Pride Month- was only the straw that broke the camel’s back.

I will make it plain and say this with humility, grace, and concern for a fellow believer. Jaden Ivey is going about his faith and representing Christianity incorrectly. His zeal has outrun his wisdom, pushing him into a space of unrighteous judgment. He is costing himself dearly, not for the Gospel’s sake, but for his own misguided assessment of what it means to follow Christ.

I’m concerned for him. He continues to go on social media, exposing sensitive details of his life, saying his family isn’t speaking to him. We’ve seen these religious tirades before. Kanye West-that’s what this feels like. The ramblings of an unwell person. I pray that’s not the case, but this past week has had those connotations. But trust, to all those who are picking up keyboard swords, ready to fight for Christian religious freedom, this is not the fight you think it is. This is a call not to defend Christian beliefs, but to remember what it means to be Christian in the first place. This is not to say we dismiss biblical truth, but it is a call to be who the Bible says to be.

Peter, a disciple of Jesus, wrote a letter explaining this.

…all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.

Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

…in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God (1 Peter 3)

What Peter is explaining is how every follower of Jesus should live. Not in annoyance to anyone, not shoving what we believe in people’s faces, not demanding answers for sins. Jaden has forgotten the plot and his place. He has forgotten the grace and mercy we’ve all been given. That while Jaden was in the thick of his sin, Christ died for him too, the actual righteous for the unrighteous.

I say this with all the love and concern for a brother in Christ, go back to the drawing board. Go sit with your Elders and under wise counsel. The positive impact you think you’re having is actually pushing people away. I pray you get the guidance and help you need.

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” - Jesus