It is a common problem that many teams face. After a big victory it is often easy for a team to overlook or underestimate their next opponent. Their confidence is sky-high and they feel that after winning the previous game it should be easy to win the next. Inevitably they lose that next game.
You may be asking, "Why the sports lesson?" Well, as Christians we need to guard from let-downs as well. It can be easy for us to feel like we have arrived. That we are doing so well, we are above temptation. The Bible warns us to avoid that attitude, "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12). Just like sports teams, when we get over-confident, we become vulnerable.
Paul knew of this danger, "If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil 3:11-14).
Christianity is a lifestyle in which we must continue to grow until we depart from this life. There is a never ending need for us to discipline ourselves, "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway" (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Let us never get too comfortable with ourselves. When we stop growing as Christians, we start dying. I am not saying that we can't be sure of our salvation but rather that we must watch.
-- Ralph Price --
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