Sports can be enjoyable. We run, swim, or bike, and the sun and the fresh air feel good.
Sports can also be an endurance test, one that takes everything we can give and demands even more. We compete against opposing teams, and only the best can win.
If we want the prize, we must have a game plan, a process for victory that we can practice over and over before the big day.
What’s our game plan for spiritual victory against the evil one and his devious minions? The devil plays to win, by hook or crook. We can’t afford to take the field without our plays already drawn out and ready to implement.
Ecclesiastes 9:10 tells us that now is our time to apply ourselves to the work of the Lord.
“Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.”
Romans 6:23 says we must win at all costs. The reward for failure is a crushing defeat.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
1 John 1:9 draws out our game plan for all to see.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
James 4:12 cautions us to be generous with those who run the field with us.
“There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?”
James 1:15 exhorts us to follow the game plan exactly.
“Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
Acts 4:12 reveals our coach who leads us to victory in his Name.
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
We can be pummeled on the football field and tagged out on the diamond. We can hold our breath as we swim the length of the pool. It’s our victory in the spirit that’s our vital necessity. In Christ, we up our game plan and win our salvation, and we’ll live forever with him.
When we read the Bible, we’re covering God’s victory playbook a chapter at a time.
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Code: FGO.H.09.17a.vp.esv