He is a Nigerian-Canadian defensive lineman for the Detroit Lions of the NFL. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2003. Waived by the Browns midway through the season, the Chicago Bears obtained him the following year and he played with the team from 2004–2012. He led the NFL in blocked punts/fields goals in 2005, 2006, 2007. His team, the Chicago Bears, were the NFC champions in 2006. And he won the Ed Block Courage Award in 2009.  In  2007, he established the Israel Idonije Foundation which “is committed to impacting under-served communities by providing programs focused on social and emotional life skills.” In 2009, he started a company called Blessed Communion which manufactures pre-filled Communion cups for individuals, churches and other religious organizations.  On June 10, 2013, he was awarded the “Humanitarian Award for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy” by All Sports United, which recognizes one athlete per year that demonstrates exceptional commitment to public service.

Raised in church all of his life, he said of his faith, “Just because you go to church doesn’t mean you’re a Christian. Christianity isn’t about religion; it’s about your personal relationship with the Lord. It’s no different than football. Everyone can hope and wish the best for everyone, but ultimately your own actions will determine the result. You have to walk the walk every day. You have to live your life as a Christian, not just go to church once a week and assume you’re Christian.

His name is Israel Idonije.

This is the “Chief of Sinners,” Daniel Whyte III, president of Gospel Light Society International, reminding you of what the Bible says, that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” like you and me. Just as Israel Idonije gave his life to Christ, may I encourage you to do the same. Here is how:

First, please understand that you are a sinner and that you have broken God’s laws. The Bible says in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Please understand that because of your sins, you deserve punishment in hell. Romans 6:23 says “the wages of sin is death…” This is both physical death and spiritual death in hell.

But here is the good news. John 3:16 reads, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The phrase “For God so loved the world” means that if you are in this world, God loves you no matter what you have done.

The next phrase, “that He gave His only begotten Son” refers to Jesus Christ. He is God’s son who suffered, bled, and died on the cross for your sins and for mine, and He was buried and rose again.

Our next phrase is “that whosoever believeth in Him”. The word “whosoever” means anybody at anytime. The phrase “believeth in Him” means to trust in Him, to depend upon Him, to rely on Him, or to have faith in Him for your salvation.

Our next phrase, “should not perish”, refers to eternal punishment in a place called hell.

 

And, lastly, the phrase “but have everlasting life” means to live eternally in Heaven with God.

The Bible also says in Romans 10:9 and 13: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved…For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Dear friend, if you are willing to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, please pray with me this simple prayer: Heavenly Father, I realize that I am a sinner and that I have done some bad things in my life. For Jesus Christ sake, please forgive me of my sins. I now believe with all of my heart that Jesus Christ died for me, was buried, and rose again. Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and save my soul and change my life today. Amen.

If you believed in your heart that Jesus Christ died on the cross, was buried, and rose again, allow me to say, congratulations on doing the most important thing in life and that is accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour!

Remember, friend, Believe by faith. Share the faith. and Keep the faith!