THE PROBLEM WITH PROFESSIONAL SPORTS

NFL, NBA, OLYMPICS certainly have their following, ‘religious’ following.
Maybe not quite so much anymore for some people.

Professional sports celebrate those approaching perfection that we can’t reach.
But we sure can criticize those who are almost perfect.
We rally others in the pastime/hobby of discussing the faults of professionals that are broadcast to the world.

Where does that leave us who are far down the list of anything close to their level ?
If I realize I’m not good enough, I will spend my time pointing out the faults of others who are paid enough to get soundly critiqued for every mistake.

Also, if I realize I’m not good enough [as a person] inside, I will spend my time finding fault with anyone somehow less good enough than me.
Maybe that will make me better ?

Actually, a Bible verse fits to cover all this:

“The fear of man brings a snare.”

If you fail to see the connection with others to make ourselves seem better–
— Just thinking about someone else’s faults is a fear that traps us.
— Even further, wondering what someone may think or say about us is a snare.
— Thinking about what we would say to a certain person, or to an anonymous person can take our freedom and rob us of useful thought and time.
— Criticizing can be a serious waste—and a snare.

The fear of man can be a plague—but there is a better way, in the very next verse.

“The fear of man is a snare.
Whoever trusts in the Lord will be safe.”

WHAT PLEASES JESUS MORE ?

+ When you are praised if you read your Bible, talk about Jesus, worship publicly ?

++ When you are criticized, threatened, persecuted, in danger of death if you read your Bible, talk about Jesus, worship publicly ?
– – –
What pleases Jesus more ?

What did Jesus say ?
– – –
+ “Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
For so did their fathers to the false prophets.”

++ “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

LORD, WHAT DO YOU WANT ?

BEFORE
“What must I do to be saved ?”
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.”

AFTER
— Take your life with Jesus seriously.
“What shall I give to the Lord for all His benefits toward me ?
I will call on the name of the Lord,
I will take of the cup of salvation;
Then I will pay my vows.”

THEN
— Take your life with Jesus seriously.
There’s always more.
“More about Jesus would I know.
More of His grace to others show.
More of His saving fullness see.
More of His love Who died for me.”


— Take your life with Jesus seriously.
“Grow in grace
And in the knowledge
Of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

— Take your life with Jesus seriously.
“As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.”

— Take your life with Jesus seriously.
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Saved by the grace of God.
Then live to show a closer walk with Jesus.