Last week my wife and I would sit on our couch in the evenings and watch the highlights of the Olympics. We loved seeing the different events and seeing all the athletics from different countries.
It takes a lot of dedication, sacrifice and effort to qualify for the Olympics. Anyone can be a winner, but some get special recognition like gold, silver and bronze.
Those 2026 winter Olympics remind me of something in the Bible.
Anyone who has ever accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is qualified and everyone in that group has a chance to live a life pleasing to Him. Just because we have accepted Jesus does not mean we will live a life that is pleasing to Him.
Some do and some don’t! Every Christian is accountable, (Acts 17:31, Romans 14:21) 2 Corinthians 5:10, 15 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. (15)...and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
Oh yes, it takes a lot of dedication, effort, self-sacrifice and saying no to self and the world - also surrendering or yielding to the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit, (Philippians 4:13, Luke 11:13, Luke 12:12) John 14:26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.
But we must know the Bible to know what is pleasing to Him, ( 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.( See also Joshua 1:8) Oh if we did live that life that is pleasing to Him!
2 Corinthians 5:9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.
Wouldn’t it be something on that day we stand before Him to hear Him say, “Well done my beloved child!”
See you in Church next Sunday.