Gospel

Let me tell you why we do it. Sports drive us to be the best we can be. We work on our craft because God gave us talents, passions and opportunities, and when we’re playing sports, we know we were made for this. God gave us the beauty of competition, the beauty of sports.

Yet even in the beauty of sports we see our weaknesses, failures, and shortcomings. We see beauty in the passion of sports, the glory of success; but that same passion also can bring out our sin. We don’t play the way God wants us to. We so often use sports to serve ourselves: to earn love, identity, glory, security, success, approval for ourselves. We reject God, we try to fill, with sports, the void in our heart that only God fills. A choice that only proves successful for a short time. Because we don’t realize that sports, drugs, money, and anything of this world can only take us so far. (1 John 2:15–17) By rejecting God we then face the consequences.

If we reject God, we will be separated from Him. In sports, when we don’t follow the rules or commit a foul against others we get a penalty against us. And in life, because of our sin we see another penalty. As sinners, the penalty of our sin is death. (Romans 6:23) It is separation from the One who crafted us into who we are, the one who gave us our passions, talents, and opportunities. And while the penalties in the sports we love may be temporary, the penalty for sin is eternal, it’s forever. If you reject God you will spend eternity in Hell. That is ultimately what separation from God is – Hell. It is the place where God does not dwell. The place of constant torment and hopelessness. The problem is, we all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) So it would seem that our end is already set. Eternity in Hell because we have all sinned. But that is not true because

God did something about it.

God loved us and reached out to us. He didn’t let us live in hopelessness. He showed his love through his son Jesus. (John 3:16) He sent Jesus to live among us, to die for us, so we can be forgiven, so we can be free from sin.(Romans 5:8) Jesus rose up from death and offered us new life, a new relationship with God, for everyone who returns to Him. Jesus paid the penalty of sin on that cross. And now, whoever calls upon the name of the Lord can be saved, because of Jesus’ sacrifice. (Romans 10:13)

God offers us the gift of eternal life with Him in heaven to everyone. It’s just up to you to accept it. Accept the gift of Salvation. In sports, everything takes work. You have to decide to put your all into your craft. You have to choose to make healthy choices so you can perform your best. But when it comes to Salvation, your work doesn’t matter. (Ephesians 2:8–9) The only thing that matters is your belief in the mighty work Jesus did for you on the cross. (Romans 10:9)

Accepting the gift of Salvation is the most important decision you can make. All you have to do is recognize that you’re a sinner, recognize your need for God. Then you need to repent of your sins, turn from your sin to God instead for his forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Next, believe in Jesus’ sacrifice. Believe that He died on the cross for you and rose again three days later. Believe that His death on the cross is the only thing that can save you from hell. And lastly, call on the name of the Lord. Anyone who believes and calls upon the name of the Lord can and will be saved from eternal separation. (Romans 10:13) Salvation is for anyone. Make the decision to accept Jesus Christ as your savior today.