I once wrote a blog post entitled “A Gator Hater’s Guide to Loving Tim Tebow.”

It’s really hard to not pull for Tim Tebow. As my friend said, “The critics are right. Tebow isn’t NFL material… he wins too much, works too hard, complains too little, and always makes much of Jesus.”

I used to be a Tebow hater when he was in college. But I have since repented of my waywardness and been converted. As Matthew Barnett acclaimed, I’m officially on the Broncos’ Tim Tebow bandwagon with Bible and tambourine.

I admire the man’s authentic, childlike boldness. It’s not pretentious or self-serving in any shape or form. While others charge that he tone down the “Jesus” rhetoric, I see a modern day Paul who refuses to do anything but play to the audience of ONE, while constantly exemplifying a hard work ethic, praising his teammates, respecting his opponents, and taking the spotlight off himself every time a microphone is put in front of him.

Even Christian athletes like Kurt Warner have campaigned for him to quiet down a little. Kurt, we loved you too when you were making much of Jesus regardless of what your critics said. God didn’t call us to witness through actions alone, He called us to proclaim the name of Christ and publish that name unashamedly. Our character certainly must line up with our spiritual convictions and conversations, but the scriptures never tell us to witness on character alone while closing our lips because people are tired of hearing the name of JESUS.

I hear nothing rude, derogatory, judgmental, or harsh in Tebow’s witness. On the contrary he is humble and respectful. We are instructed to witness with gentleness and respect, but also in boldness and firmness. We are never commanded in scripture to pull back on the name of Jesus for the sake of coddling the world.

Tebow, keep being YOU… and keep making JESUS famous through your character, integrity, and the testimony of your words. Let the world deal with it. We aren’t here to apologize for our boldness and to take away the offense of the cross. We are simply exhorted to make sure our character and integrity line up with our witness. When it does, make His name known!

What do Tim Tebow and Pakistan Christians have in common? Find out here.