My friend Lassie used to play the horses for a living. I never knew how
well he did, I saw him rip up hundreds of dollars of tickets when he lost, and
also stood in line with him when he collected his winnings. He played the
thoroughbreds, and when living in Pompano Beach got us hooked on the trotters.
Low on money, but big on time, we would go down every night to watch the races,
the trotters being much different as the horses pulled a sulkey with the jockey
in it. Lassie never played the trotters, but gave us advice one night, never
bet on the horse, bet on the man in the sulkey, and although we never bet much,
not having money can prevent you from losing it in this case, we picked winners
on a regular basis, based on the jockey. Like every gambler has his system,
this one worked for us. The idea was not which horse won, but where they
placed, and betting on the jockey became a pattern we followed.
This year the Chargers are 2-7, and have been called the worst team in
football. But their quarterback, Philip Rivers is having a career season. He
is putting up great stats, looks real good in Fantasy Football, another form of
gambling, just not called gambling because it is not federally regulated yet,
while the team is taking it hard. Lousy coaching, poor play, no depth, and
injuries are all listed as the reasons they lose. But Philip still puts up the
stats...Now I am 7-2 picking winners this year, I choose against them. I could
be 9-0, as they barely won the two games they did win, against teams with a
total of 3 wins this year, but my system is betting against them. I have
confidence in them finding away to lose, and they have only let me down twice
this year. And stats are nice, they win great contracts, but do not necessarily
win games, or a trip to the Super Bowl. When Philip meets with other players,
he may have better stats, but they have a Super Bowl ring and he doesn’t.
Therefore he is not a winner, for his team loses. No matter how good, how many
yards or touchdowns, you play the game to win. Some boast in stats, some just
hold up their hand to show the ring.
A sure sign of a new Christian is coming to Jesus, and finding freedom in
the spirit, but making a new list of laws for themselves. Helped by religion or
denominations, some will practice dietary restrictions, stay away from certain
physical acts, and even divorce. A friend once divorced his wife after being
saved because he was taught incorrectly how Paul wished you rather be single. I
know people who will not eat any animals, because they might have been offered
to idols. They put themselves under religious scrutiny, and bondage by their
self denial, much as certain orders cut themselves off from the world, just the
opposite from what Jesus commands us to do. We are in the world, just not of
it. And again they find no freedom, just more rules and more bondage. The more
rules you have, the more you have to break. But the Bible tells of a difference
between self denial, and denying self.
Jesus tells us to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow him. But
some mistake that for self denial, “I’ll give this up for Jesus, that’ll show
how great a Christian I am.” Drawing attention to themselves, rather than
letting the spirit shine through us. When our actions become self denial to
show something about us, we show how shallow we are, expecting God to reward us
for doing something for him. And we are warned we have already received our
reward if we do. The differences may be subtle, but the motivation is known by
God, and us. Self denial is an attempt to gain righteousness apart from God’s
grace. Denying self is not relying on ego, but on the spirit to guide us, and
not bring attention to ourselves. It doesn’t say “look what I did,” but
witnesses to what Jesus did. It is powered by the spirit, not by rules,
regulations, denominations, or scripture taken out of context. When it is all
about Jesus, it is all about Jesus.
And so while some put up stats, they may be good at contract time, we race
to win. Heaven is our goal, which is a gift that cannot be earned. All the
church you attended, money you gave, trips to Israel, time on TV, and knowing
celebrities will not gain you heaven. We may be impressed, but you will not win
the race, or the prize of heaven. And it is not even a seasonal won/loss
record, but having your name recorded in the book of life. God knows the heart,
while we perform for the outer man to gain approval. Some bet on the horse,
some bet on the jockey. Many religions have their system of how to gain eternal
life, only Jesus promises it through his blood. A choice you cannot afford to
lose. And he leaves it up to us, it is your choice. Which is why I choose
Jesus, and bet against the Chargers. Both are a good bet, only one is a sure
thing. One team finds way to pull defeat from victory, Jesus showed his death
meant victory at the cross. Are you a systems player, or betting on a person?
Rivers scores with great stats, but loses games. My stats may be lousy, but I
have the victory in Christ.
Self denial never pleases God, but dying to self does. Something we must
do everyday, the temptations are that strong. We can follow Jesus, or follow
the rules we are given, leaving them to interpretation of our own. God loves us
no matter what, and no action can make him love us more. You can put up stats
in the church, or win the prize with Jesus. Sincerity in either one does not
mean it will be successful, a commitment to Jesus, and letting the spirit guide
you will bless you. You can be sincerely wrong, and miss heaven. Those are the
rules. So pick up your own cross daily, follow Jesus, and know you may not win
every battle, but by choosing him you will win the war. True winners have the
ring, others have stats. It is not what you do, but what Jesus did.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com