The Glorious Gospel for SportSample

Sports people are competitive. Is it the sport that makes us competitive or is sport the outlet for a competitive nature? It must be a bit of both. Sports people talk about that nature of competitiveness spilling over into other areas of life. Perhaps you’ve been accused by others of turning everything into a game or have been called ‘too competitive’ as you’ve won races or games against family members in the back garden!

Sports people are achievers. They take their competitive drive and seek after success with great passion and determination. However, this ‘good’ character trait among sports people can be the stumbling block when it comes to trusting in Jesus. Why? Because the hard work has all been done by Jesus. There’s nothing for you to do. Just trust and be!

Last time we looked at what the gospel reveals. The power of the gospel changes our status when God declares that we are ‘not guilty’ but ‘righteous’.It’s a relationship change between us and God. Once we were his enemies and deserving of wrath and now we are his children, loved and deeply cared for. The verdict has been achieved by Jesus and received by faith.

As a sports person, it’s that very idea that you have nothing to work towards or to achieve that is so hard to grasp. Indeed, every other religion is based upon good works, keeping standards, and striving to be better. Christianity though says that Jesus has paid it all. He had to, there was nothing that you could have brought to the party, apart from your own wretched self. Jesus achieved it – you receive it.

(Romans 1:17) Paul confirms: “—a righteousness that is by faith—"

Romans 1:16-17 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Do you remember when you first put your faith in Jesus? Maybe it was a gradual understanding over time or a sudden conversion, or something you grew up with in a Christian family. Whatever the circumstances when you first believed, it is simply by trusting in the act of Jesus' sacrifice that saves you.'

It is likely that being immersed in a sports club or team, in an ultra-competitive environment, you can doubt if it’s the act of faith in Jesus that makes you right with God. Surely there must be more to it? What if you fail miserably?What if there’s a moment of madness and you’re pulled away by the lure of the world? Surely then there are things that you should do and have to do to get back with God.

It's the devil’s job to kill, steal and destroy and condemn. The devil whispers ‘you’re not good enough’ or ‘that sacrifice cant surely cover that sin’ or ‘you’re nothing like that other Christian, they never mess up.’

‘Don’t listen’ says, Paul. Just keep trusting that the blood of Jesus has covered every sin.

Stop being like a competitive sportsperson when it comes to faith. There’s no room for comparison or percentage gains. There’s no analysis or going back over the recording. You’ve been made righteous so go and live by faith with the power of the spirit within you.

Pray for yourself

Dear Lord,

Thank you that righteousness comes through faith alone, and is not something I have to work to achieve. Help me to remember this when I get things wrong when I’m tempted to feel that I’m not good enough.

Help me to continue to trust in Jesus for my salvation and to enjoy the freedom this brings as I play, not comparing myself to others or viewing my Christian life as a competition to be the best.

In your name,

Amen