Wednesday, February 2, 2011

WE'VE ALREADY WON!

Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life." (John 5:24 NIV)

Soon after moving to Cleveland, Ohio in 1985 I took my dad and my son to a Cleveland Browns and Green Bay Packers football game. My son rooted for the Browns and my dad rooted for the Packers. Having lived in Wisconsin for 34 years I had a loyalty to the Packers, but also had some allegiance to the home team. I sat between my dad and my son and found myself cheering for both teams.

I remember hearing the story of someone who had followed the Browns for many years. When asked how this fan dealt with all the frustrations of dropped passes, missed field goals, fumbles, and "three yards and a cloud of dust," the man had this reply. He said that he would video tape all of the games and would not watch them until he learned of the outcome. If the Browns lost the game, he erased the tape. But if they won, then he popped the videotape in and watched every play. When the Browns lost yardage, or fumbled, or did any of those things that would make most Browns' fans cringe, this fellow just laughed. He knew that no matter how bad things looked at the moment for the Browns, they had won the game.

What a perspective! As Christians we need to have that same attitude. Christ has already won the game. Christ has already made us winners through what He did for us on the cross given to us through our belief in Him. We are champions in the game of life. Now, let's act like it!

-- Rev. David T. Wilkinson


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6 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    While I agree that Christ has won the victory for us on the Cross and therefore we know the wonderful outcome, we must still play the game of life: in which there is no bench, everyone is a player, and everyone is important in their uniqueness - the gifts or talents they must nurture throughout life's journey. Thus we need each other for fulfillment, for happiness, for encouragement and for forgiveness. We need to share what we are being given from God with all others. That's the road to goodness, the road to peace, the road to eternal salvation. Or what are the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 for? It is lots of hard work, but God gives us the strength to do it, to live it in hope, in suffering, and in joy. Christ has shown us the way.

    Blessings!
    Chaplain Mike Murphy

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  2. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2011 at 4:09 PM

    Thanks, Dave, for the true and timely message!

    M. Dorchester

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  3. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    Hi Rev. Dave, Because a lady from Door County was competing for Miss America, we recorded the Atlanta game and watched it after learning the Packers had won 48-21. It was fun and we were full of anticipation even when developments otherwise would have made us feel uneasy. I reached the same conclusion and for the same reasons! Warren

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  4. AnonymousFebruary 2, 2011 at 4:14 PM

    Great message! Thank you!

    Will you be taping Sunday’s Super Bowl, or watching live??

    Pete Evangelista, Ohio

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  5. AnonymousFebruary 3, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    Thanks for that reminder to keep the ultimate outcome of the game in perspective!

    (I guess I don't need to ask whether you've gone back to being a Packers fan!)

    Patty Evangelista Miller

    Glenmoore, PENNSYLVANIA

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  6. AnonymousFebruary 4, 2011 at 8:38 AM

    I LOVE THIS!!! This ministry is so helpful to me.

    D. Gibbons

    ReplyDelete

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