Pastor’s NewsViews
Tim Edwards, Pastor
First Baptist Church Highlands
Wins and losses define success in this 21st century world. This week, newspapers, magazines and the Internet headline several events where winners and losers are recognized in virtually every facet of life. There are actually only a few life situations where no one keeps score. Winners are honored and losers are eliminated in sports, entertainment, business, politics, and education. For example, athletes trained for the 2014 Sochi winter Olympics with goal of winning medals. Certainly there are other lofty ideals such as fostering positive international relations, but the focus is on winning and losing. They keep score at the Olympics with the medal count updated every day.
The entertainment industry is also highly competitive with the 86th annual Academy Awards this Sunday March 2nd. Although the nomination itself is an honor, producers, actors and studios care deeply whether or not they win the Oscar in the numerous categories. The box office is also a scorecard as blockbuster or bust measured by profit or loss due to high or low ticket sales.
Politics is another arena that is highly competitive and affects the quality of life of virtually all residents coast to coast. Elections never result in ties. There will always be a winner in every election! The March primaries signal the beginning of a very volatile, competitive 2014 political season. It matters greatly who wins or loses this March as nominees are chosen for the general election next November. Winning versus losing is the only goal for those who are now inundating the media with attempts to get your vote.
In this highly competitive world, a Biblical perspective regarding winners and losers must be modeled by the current generation and communicated to the next generation. Some persons devalue the importance of striving for excellence with attitude that all should be treated equally regardless of their actions or attitudes. This is mentality of playing a game and just not keeping score. Those with such a non-competitive philosophy often have very good intentions, but the ultimate result is a loss of productivity. Specifically, this attitude fosters laziness in children and youth if they do not learn the value of study and hard work. The contrast to this devaluing of competition is the philosophy that a person’s worth is measured by their performance. An overemphasis on winning has potentially dire consequences with the possibility of pride by winners and depression by losers.
The Biblical balance is to recognize the limitations of success relative to the eternal spiritual values. Paul expressed this contrast in his Holy Spirit inspired letter to 1st century church and pastor, Timothy. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance. That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God… 1 Tim 4:8-11
Biblical teaching is for Christ-followers to do all we do to honor God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father Col. 3:17 The Scriptural rationale for giving our best efforts in all ventures applies to athletes, employees, and students in 21st century just as it did to 1st century slaves to whom it was originally addressed. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, Eph. 6:6-7.
Olympic medalists, Oscar presentations, and 2014 political campaigning are a NewsViews reminder to Christ-followers that the Ultimate Winner is Jesus Christ. Thus, we are victorious in our relationship with Him. We are never losers, but always winners in Jesus...we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 8:37-39
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